A delightful animated comedy about the Christmas spirit

Review of Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton / Christopher's Christmas Mission (1975) movie, by Stefan Stenudd

In English: The Christmas Eve of Karl-Bertil Jonsson, also called Christopher's Christmas Mission. This little story, by comedy writer Tage Danielsson and artist Per Ahlin, is a jewel.

With equal portions of affection and humor, the story of the young boy Karl-Bertil, and how he spends Christmas, is told. He takes the Christmas spirit far, when working at the post office and deciding to re-address Christmas gifts, so that they end up with poor people.

His father finds it out, but what happens next is not what daddy had surmised.

The style of animation is original and charming, with a well-found sort of antique air to it, and the story unfolds very pleasantly - still not ignorant of the injustices in the society portrayed. A social message is presented, but in a very sweet and enjoyable way.

Tage Danielsson had a very personal way of combining pathos with comic ease, and this is one of the best examples of it.

Stefan Stenudd
13 January 2003