The Polar Express (film)

The Polar Express is a 2004 feature film based on the children's book of the same title by Chris Van Allsburg.

The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is entirely live action using performance capture technology, which incorporates the movements of live actors into animated characters. It stars actor Tom Hanks in five distinct roles, including the role of Santa Claus.

Budget $165 million
Gross revenue Domestic:
$178,519,973
Worldwide: $302,619,973

Plot
The Polar Express is a story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who is hoping for belief in the true spirit of Christmas. After he had fallen asleep, a magical train called the Polar Express pulls up in front of his house and he is invited by the train's mysterious conductor to journey to the North Pole. The train is filled with many other children, all dressed in their pyjamas, who drink hot chocolate as rich as melted bars and the train rumbles on.

As the train reaches the North Pole, the boy and the other children see thousands of elves gathered at the center of town to send Santa on his way. The boy is handpicked by Santa Claus to receive the first gift of Christmas. Realizing that he could choose anything in the world, the boy asks for one beautiful-sounding silver bell from Santa's sleigh. The boy places the bell in the pocket of his robe and all the children watch as Santa takes off for his yearly delivery.

Later, on the train, the boy discovers that the bell has fallen through a hole in his pocket. On Christmas morning, his sister finds a small present wrapped under the tree, behind all of the other gifts. The boy opens the box and discovers that it is the bell, delivered by Santa who found it on the seat of his sleigh. When the boy rings the bell, both he and his sister marvel at the beautiful sound. His parents, however, are unable to hear the bell and remark that it must be broken.

The movie ends with, "At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Tagline : Journey Beyond Your Imagination

Cast

Tom Hanks - Hero Boy / Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus
Leslie Harter Zemeckis - Sister Sarah / Mother (as Leslie Zemeckis)

Eddie Deezen - Know-It-All

Nona Gaye - Hero Girl
Peter Scolari - Lonely Boy
Brendan King - Pastry Chef
Andy Pellick - Pastry Chef

Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchak - Know-It-All
Josh Eli - Waiter
Mark Mendonca - Waiter
Rolandas Hendricks - Waiter
Mark Goodman - Waiter
Jon Scott - Waiter

Gregory Gast - Waiter
Sean Scott - Waiter
Gordon Hart - Waiter

Michael Jeter - Smokey / Steamer

Chris Coppola - Toothless Boy / Elf

Julene Renee - Red Head Girl / Elf

Charles Fleischer - Elf General

Steven Tyler - Elf Lieutenant / Elf Singer