The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000 film) facts for kids

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus
Directed by	Glen Hill Susan Blu (voice director)
Produced by	Mike Young
Story by	L. Frank Baum
Starring	Robby Benson Dixie Carter Hal Holbrook
Music by	Misha Segal
Studio	Mike Young Productions
Distributed by	Universal Studios Home Video
Release date(s)	October 31, 2000
Running time	75 minutes

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus is an animated fantasy film from 2000. It was made by Mike Young Productions and released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. This movie is based on a book with the same name, written by L. Frank Baum in 1902. It tells the story of how Santa Claus came to be.

The Story of Santa Claus

This movie takes you on a magical journey to the Forest of Burzee. This forest is home to many special, immortal beings. These include Knooks, fairies, and nymphs. Their leader is Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World. He looks after all the forests.

Nicholas's Childhood in Burzee

One day, Ak finds a human baby left alone in the forest. He decides to place the baby with a kind lioness named Shiegra. Soon after, a wood nymph named Necile adopts the baby. She names him Nicholas.

Later, a shapeshifting pixie named Wisk arrives in Burzee. He was sent there over a mountain where the mean Awgwas live. When Nicholas grows up, Ak shows him how humans live. He gives Nicholas a magic sash that makes him invisible. Nicholas sees that many children live very tough lives. They often face unfair situations, made worse by the Awgwas.

Eventually, Nicholas and Wisk move closer to both Necile and the human villages. The friendly Knooks build a house for Nicholas. Necile gives him a cat, which he names Blinky.

Making Toys and Spreading Joy

Nicholas visits a village and helps a baby stop crying. A girl named Megan also speaks for the first time because of him. To help the children, Nicholas carves a toy cat that looks just like Blinky.

One cold winter day, a boy named Ethan, who uses a stick to walk, comes to Nicholas's house. He almost freezes, but Nicholas brings him inside. This makes King Mogorb, the leader of the Awgwas, very unhappy. Nicholas gives Ethan the toy cat.

Nicholas starts making more toys for children. He carves cats, birds, ponies, and doll figures of Necile. He also makes a toy of Shiegra, the lioness, who visits him to say goodbye. Nicholas gives toys to children and makes them happy. But the Awgwas break into his house and send him away. Nicholas soon returns and keeps making toys. His house even grows bigger!

The Awgwas and Christmas Traditions

As Nicholas gets older, a Knook named Will gives him two reindeer, Mistletoe and Holly. These reindeer pull a sled so Nicholas can visit villages in winter. He is told to return before morning. Because he leaves so many toys for children, people start calling him Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus.

One time, Nicholas returns after morning. Will tells him he cannot use the reindeer anymore. When Nicholas tries to deliver more toys, the Awgwas attack him and steal all his toys. Later, they attack Natalie, a princess who came to see him. Nicholas tells Ak about this problem.

Ak decides that Nicholas should visit villages only once a year. This special day should be Christmas. Will then gives Nicholas eight reindeer for his sled. The immortals, led by Ak, decide they can no longer stand the Awgwas' bad deeds. After a big battle, they turn the Awgwas into birds and insects. They also get back all the stolen toys.

Every Christmas after that, Nicholas makes his trips to the villages. He starts the tradition of Christmas trees by putting them in darker homes. He also places smaller gifts in stockings left out to dry. Some children even leave milk and cookies for him!

Santa Claus Becomes Immortal

When Nicholas is very old, the Angel of Death comes for him. Ak holds a meeting with the other immortals. He asks them to make Nicholas immortal. Bo, the Master Mariner of the World, calls for a vote. Everyone votes to use the Mantle of Immortality on Santa Claus.

Ak tells the Angel of Death not to take Nicholas. While Nicholas is asleep, Ak places the mantle around him and Blinky. Now, Santa Claus is immortal! With help from Blinky and Wisk, he continues to give gifts every Christmas. The movie ends showing a Christmas many years in the future.

Meet the Voice Actors

Here are some of the talented actors who lent their voices to the characters in the movie:

• Robby Benson as Young Santa Claus
• Jim Cummings as Old Santa Claus / Thog / Additional Voices
• Dixie Carter as Necile
• Hal Holbrook as Ak, Master Woodsman of the World
• Carlos Alazraqui as Wisk / Wil Knook
• Maurice LaMarche as King Mogorb / Lord of Lerd / Additional Voices
• Brianne Siddall as Ethan the Cripple / Megan / Tycus
• Cynthia Songé as Shiegra
• Kath Soucie as Natalie / Mayrie
• Mary Kay Bergman as Martha / Nymph
• Melissa Disney as Gardenia / Village Girl
• Jess Harnell as Wagif Knook / Bo, Master Mariner of the World / Giant / Additional Voices
• Nick Jameson as Peter Knook / Andrew