The Hogfather

Buy This Item The Hogfather by Genius Products (TVN)  Available from Amazon  $9.99  on 9-22-2008     Based on a fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, <I>The Hogfather</I> is an extraordinary satire-adventure set in the mythical realm of Discworld, a kind of parallel-universe version of Earth. Discworld's alternative to Santa Claus is the Hogfather, who also chases around in a sled delivering gifts to children (on a Christmas-like night known as Hogwatch), but who looks like, well, a wild hog and is pulled through the skies not by reindeer but a bunch of grunting porkers with long, dangerous teeth. Just as the Hogfather is about to complete his annual mission to leave toys for kids under their Hogwatch trees, a specter makes a deal with a professional assassin to kill the jolly old fellow. The job is farmed out to a psychotic monster named Teatime (Marc Warren), who sets about trying to get to the Hogfather through, of all things, the Tooth Fairy. While danger stalks these immortal characters, Death (Ian Richardson) himself takes the Hogfather's place on his magical rounds, with comic consequences. Meanwhile, a governess named Susan (Michelle Dockery), possessor of a strange secret and awesome powers, determines that the Hogfather is in danger. She sets about trying to find him and discovers Teatime's plot, while a cluster of clumsy wizards (led by Joss Ackland) try to make sense of what has happened and what they can do about it. It's hard to explain the charm and wit of <I>The Hogfather</I>, which is full of quirky, ironic humor, except to say that it's easy to fall in love with this British television special and its dark delights. (Some a bit too dark for younger viewers.) The cast includes a very funny Tony Robinson of <I>Black Adder</I>. <I>--Tom Keogh</I> Reader Reviews Wow - I just saw this, I've got my copy pre-ordered, and I can't wait to get it home! Finally, someone has done a really good Terry Pratchett movie! If you've never read Terry Pratchett - don't worry about it - neither has my husband, and he loved the movie too. If you have read the book - you have got to get this movie! So - the basic story is that the Hogfather (Santa Claus) is - well - gone. That's the word for it - gone. A rather inappropriate - individual - is filling in for him - not fully understanding the role, because, if the Hogfather remains gone, the Sun will not rise in the morning. Other side effects to the missing Hogfather end up creating a computer asking for a teddy bear, a fairy that brings warts, and a sock eating monster (you've always known that one existed in the dryer, right?). There's a lot of humor, a lot of heart, and a few very good philosophical points - ah I don't know how to describe Pratchett. Just watch it. If you want a good story and a good laugh - it's there. If you want something more, something to make you think - you'll find that too.

The Hogfather Available from Amazon Price: $9.99 Updated on 9-22-2008.

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