A Christmas Story (1983)
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89% of critics liked it
(46 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(263,318 ratings)
Nine years after the Yuletide slasher flick Black Christmas, Porky's director Bob Clark once again took on the holiday genre, switching from gasps to laughs with A Christmas Story. Adapted from a memoir by humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrates), the film centers on Ralphie Parker (Peter… More Nine years after the Yuletide slasher flick Black Christmas, Porky's director Bob Clark once again took on the holiday genre, switching from gasps to laughs with A Christmas Story. Adapted from a memoir by humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrates), the film centers on Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy living in 1940s Indiana, desperately yearning for a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Despite protests from his mother (Melinda Dillon) that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie persists, unsuccessfully trying to enlist the assistance of both his teacher and Santa Claus. All the while, Ralphie finds himself dealing with the constant taunts of a pair of bullies and trying to not get in the middle of a feud between his mother and father (Darren McGavin) regarding a sexy lamp. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bob Clark (III), Bob Clark
- Written By
- Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Nov 18, 1983 Wide
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Shepherd provides the voice-over of the grown hero narrating, and his prominence on the sound track forces Clark to focus on visual humor, resulting in some wild Our Gang-style slapstick.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
If you're a fan of Christmas movies or films that use nostalgia as a driver, A Christmas Story cannot be missed. Then again, if you're in either category, you have probably already seen it.
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, Time Out
Delightfully entertaining, with a wryly amusing narration to keep the adults in the audience smirking.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
There are a number of small, unexpectedly funny moments in A Christmas Story, but you have to possess the stamina of a pearl diver to find them.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There is a real knowledge of human nature beneath the comedy.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Melinda Dillon
as Mother
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Darren McGavin
as The Old Man
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Peter Billingsley
as Ralphie
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Ian Petrella
as Randy
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Scott Schwartz
as Flick
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R.D. Robb
as Schwartz
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Tedde Moore
as Miss Shields
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Zack Ward
as Scut Farkus
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Yano Anaya
as Grover Dill
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Les Carlson
as Tree Man
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Colin Fox
as Ming the Merciless
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Paul Hubbard
as Flash Gordon
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Jim Hunter
as Freight Man
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Jeff Gillen
as Santa Claus
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Dwayne McLean
as Black Bart
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Tommy Lee Wallace
as Boy in School
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Jean Shepherd
as Adult Ralphie
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Fred Lee Own
as Waiter #2
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Chad Dowdell
as Sleeping Child (uncredited)
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Patty Johnson
as Head Elf




