Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	William R. Kowalchuk
Produced by	William R. Kowalchuk
Screenplay by	Michael Aschner
Story by	Robert May
Starring	John Goodman Kathleen Barr Eric Idle Whoopi Goldberg Debbie Reynolds Richard Simmons Bob Newhart
Music by	Al Kasha and Michael Lloyd (Score) Johnny Marks Al Kasha and Michael Lloyd (Songs)
Editing by	Tom Hok
Studio	GoodTimes Entertainment Golden Books Family Entertainment Tundra Productions
Distributed by	Legacy Releasing
Release date(s)	October 16, 1998 (1998-10-16)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$10 million
Money made	$113,484

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie is a 1998 American Christmas animated adventure musical film. It tells the story of Rudolph, a famous character first created in 1939 by Robert L. May. This movie was the first big film released in theaters by GoodTimes Entertainment, a company mostly known for home videos.

The film features many well-known voices. Kathleen Barr plays Rudolph. Other famous actors include John Goodman, Eric Idle, Whoopi Goldberg, Debbie Reynolds, Richard Simmons, and Bob Newhart. Even though it had many stars, the movie did not earn much money in theaters. It made only $113,484, which was much less than its $10 million cost.

Story of Rudolph's Adventure

Rudolph's Birth and a Queen's Anger

The story begins at the North Pole. The Sprites of the Northern Lights, who are singing spirits, see a baby reindeer named Rudolph being born. He has a very unusual, bright red, glowing nose. Rudolph's parents, Blitzen and Mitzi, introduce him to his uncles. When Cupid tickles Rudolph, his nose glows, making him stand out.

Meanwhile, two of Santa's elves, Doggle and Boone, are delivering mail. They accidentally break ice statues on the bridge of the mean Ice Queen, Stormella. When Stormella finds out, she gets very angry. She demands that Santa give the elves to her. Santa refuses, so Stormella closes her bridge. She warns that if anyone crosses it, she will create a huge blizzard. This storm would stop Santa from delivering presents on Christmas Eve.

School Days and a Big Dream

A year later, Rudolph starts school. Other young reindeer, including his cousin Arrow, make fun of his nose. Arrow is Cupid's son and is not very kind. Rudolph dreams of becoming one of Santa's special reindeer, called Flyers, just like his dad. Only his teacher, Mrs. Prancer, and a kind young doe named Zoey are nice to him. Rudolph likes Zoey a lot.

After school, Rudolph feels sad and runs away. Santa Claus finds him and tells him that his nose is special. Santa explains that being a Flyer means having a true heart, which he sees in Rudolph.

The Junior Reindeer Games

Years pass, and Rudolph is now a teenager. He joins the Junior Reindeer Games. These games help Santa choose new Flyers. During a sleigh race, Arrow, who is dating Zoey, causes other racers to crash. He then tries to upset Rudolph by saying Zoey only pities him. Rudolph's nose glows with anger and accidentally blinds Arrow.

Rudolph wins the race, but he is unfairly disqualified for blinding Arrow. Arrow wins by default. Zoey is very angry with Arrow and breaks up with him. Rudolph overhears his father, Blitzen, talking about the situation. Rudolph misunderstands his father's words, thinking Blitzen is ashamed of him. Feeling hurt, Rudolph decides to run away from home.

New Friends and a Rescue Mission

The Sprites of the Northern Lights secretly guide Rudolph as he travels across the North Pole. He soon meets a friendly Arctic fox named Slyly. Later, he also becomes friends with a polar bear named Leonard.

Zoey finds out Rudolph ran away and goes to search for him. She reaches Stormella's bridge and decides to cross it, even though it's dangerous. Stormella catches Zoey and puts her in prison. Santa sends Boone and Doggle to find Rudolph and Zoey.

Rudolph meets the Sprites, who teach him how to control his glowing nose. They also tell him that Zoey has been captured. Rudolph, Leonard, and Slyly travel to Stormella's castle. Slyly is scared of Stormella's pet wolves and stays outside. Rudolph and Leonard go inside.

Facing Stormella and Saving Christmas

Rudolph and Leonard are captured by Stormella and put in prison. Stormella then creates a huge blizzard over the North Pole. While Stormella sleeps, Slyly bravely sneaks into her room. He finds a key to unlock the prison cells. Stormella wakes up and sends her wolves after Rudolph and his friends.

The wolves corner them on a cliff. Stormella threatens to freeze Zoey first. Rudolph uses his nose to blind Stormella, making her fall over the cliff. She hangs on for dear life. Rudolph and his friends save Stormella. Grateful, Stormella offers Rudolph one wish. Rudolph wishes for Stormella to become nice.

The wish works, and Stormella becomes kind. However, she cannot stop the snowstorm she created. Boone and Doggle find the group and bring them back to Santa's Village. Because of the blizzard, Santa cannot fly his sleigh. But when he sees Rudolph's glowing nose, Santa asks him to lead his team of Flyers. He officially makes Rudolph a true Flyer. Rudolph guides Santa's sleigh through the storm, saving Christmas. When he returns, everyone welcomes him as a hero.

Voice Cast

• Kathleen Barr as Rudolph and Twinkle
  • Eric Pospisil as Young Rudolph
• John Goodman as Santa Claus
• Eric Idle as Slyly the Arctic fox
• Bob Newhart as Leonard the polar bear
• Myriam Sirois as Zoey (Rudolph's love), Glitter, and Schoolroom Doe
  • Vanessa Morley as Young Zoey
• Whoopi Goldberg as Stormella
• Garry Chalk as Blitzen (Rudolph's father)
• Debbie Reynolds as Mitzi (Rudolph's mother), Mrs. Claus, and Mrs. Prancer
• Richard Simmons as Boone
• Alec Willows as Doggle and Prancer
• Lee Tockar as Ridley, Vixen, and Milo
• Matt Hill as Arrow (Cupid's son and Rudolph's cousin and rival) and Donner
  • Christopher Gray as Young Arrow
• Elizabeth Carol Savenkoff as Aurora
• Cathy Weseluck as Sparkle
• Paul Dobson as Dasher (Rudolph and Arrow's uncle)
• Terry Klassen as Dancer
• Colin Murdock as Comet (Rudolph and Arrow's uncle)
• David Kaye as Cupid (Arrow's father and Rudolph's uncle)
• Tyler Thomson as Schoolroom Buck

Soundtrack Songs

The music for the film was created by Al Kasha and Michael Lloyd. The soundtrack also includes different versions of the classic song, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". You can also hear "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney during Santa's takeoff scene.

All songs written and composed by Al Kasha and Michael Lloyd. 

Books Based on the Movie

In 1998, four books were released that were based on the film:

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: A Retelling of the New Animated Movie: This book followed the movie's story.
• Rudolph Save the Sprites: This book was a sequel, where Rudolph and Zoey looked for the missing Sprites of the Northern Lights.
• Rudolph's Special Day in Santa's Workshop: This book showed a baby Rudolph getting a tour of Santa's Workshop.
• Christmas Town: Rudolph's Sing-A-Long Book: This book included the words to the songs from the movie.

See also

In Spanish: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie para niños