Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons Julafton
Encyclopedia
Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton (Christopher's Christmas Mission) is a 1975 Swedish animated short film directed by Per Åhlin
, adapted from Tage Danielsson
's short story of the same name, telling the tale of a boy who steals Christmas gifts from the wealthy to give to the poor people of Stockholm
while working in a post office on Christmas Eve
. The film has gained huge popularity in Sweden, and is broadcast every Christmas Eve on Swedish and Norwegian national television. It is also often shown on Christmas Eve by FST in Finland.
The film was dubbed to English into 1987, with Bernard Cribbins
as the voice-over.
started broadcasting it annually, with critics arguing that it is too political and that stealing isn't really on par with traditional Christmas spirit. Danielsson's response was that it is only a fairy tale and shouldn't be overanalyzed.
Per Åhlin
Per Johan Axel Åhlin , is a Swedish artist and animator.-Career:Åhlin started his career as an artist for the Hasseåtage production Svenska bilder from 1964. After that he has worked on several other Hasseåtage films, including The Adventures of Picasso from 1978 where he provided and animated...
, adapted from Tage Danielsson
Tage Danielsson
Tage Danielsson was a Swedish author, actor, poet and film director. He was born in Linköping and died in Stockholm...
's short story of the same name, telling the tale of a boy who steals Christmas gifts from the wealthy to give to the poor people of Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
while working in a post office on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. The film has gained huge popularity in Sweden, and is broadcast every Christmas Eve on Swedish and Norwegian national television. It is also often shown on Christmas Eve by FST in Finland.
The film was dubbed to English into 1987, with Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins, OBE is an English character actor, voice-over artist and musical comedian with a career spanning over half a century who came to prominence in films in the 1960s, has been in work consistently since his professional debut in the mid 1950s, and as of 2010 is still an active...
as the voice-over.
Cast
- Tage DanielssonTage DanielssonTage Danielsson was a Swedish author, actor, poet and film director. He was born in Linköping and died in Stockholm...
as Narrator - Per Andrén as Karl-Bertil Jonsson
- Toivo PawloToivo PawloToivo Pawlo was a Swedish film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1943 and 1978.-Selected filmography:* Rabies * The Magician * Made in Sweden...
as Tyko Jonsson - Marianne Stjernqvist as Mrs. Jonsson
- Åke Fridell as H.K. Bergdahl
- Catrin Westerlund as Mrs. Bergdahl
Criticism
A Swedish debate about the tale's moral nature has sparked every few years ever since SVTSveriges Television
Sveriges Television AB , Sweden's Television, is a national television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by a compulsory fee to be paid by all television owners...
started broadcasting it annually, with critics arguing that it is too political and that stealing isn't really on par with traditional Christmas spirit. Danielsson's response was that it is only a fairy tale and shouldn't be overanalyzed.