The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (1966): cast, story & where to watch
1966 · Film · ★ 2.9
Released in 1966, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't is a fantasy and family film directed by Rossano Brazzi, running about 89 minutes. “A more wonderful...more magical...more musical entertainment than this - there just isn't!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Sam Whipple, an attorney in once-upon-a-time-land, is startled to receive a visit from Santa Claus shortly before Christmas. It seems that when he was a child, Sam wrote a letter thanking Santa for the presents he'd received, and offering to return the favor someday. That day is now - a mean old soul named Phineas Prune, who holds the deed to the North Pole, is demanding back rent. Otherwise, he's going to evict Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves and take all the Christmas toys. It's up to Sam and Santa to find a way to pay off Prune and prevent Christmas from being canceled.
Who’s in it. The Christmas That Almost Wasn't stars Paul Tripp as Sam Whipple, Lydia Brazzi as Mrs. Claus, Alberto Rabagliati as Santa Claus and Rossano Brazzi as Phineas T. Prune, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 2.9/10, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Night Flight Plus and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Christmas That Almost Wasn't page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Christmas That Almost Wasn't tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (1966)?
- In US, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't is available to stream on Night Flight Plus and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Christmas That Almost Wasn't worth watching?
- The Christmas That Almost Wasn't holds an audience score of 2.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Christmas That Almost Wasn't?
- The Christmas That Almost Wasn't stars Paul Tripp, Lydia Brazzi, Alberto Rabagliati, Rossano Brazzi and Sonny Fox.
- When was The Christmas That Almost Wasn't released?
- The Christmas That Almost Wasn't was released in 1966, with a runtime of about 89 minutes.