Much will be different in the run-up to Christmas 2020, but one thing can be relied on: classic films that get in the mood for the festival of love.
Christmas markets, church services, family visits: some things can only be enjoyed to a limited extent this year due to the ongoing corona pandemic, some even have to be completely avoided. One thing remains the same for sure: getting in the mood for the contemplative days with filmic evergreens. These classics are part of the Christmas season, such as gingerbread, Advent wreath and Christmas tree.
"Kevin" outsmarts the crooks Harry and Marv – at home and in the Big Apple
"Kevin!" The outcry of Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara) is still in the memory of many people today. The mother, who forgets her youngest son at home when she is hectically leaving for the Christmas vacation and only notices this on the plane to Paris, is to be pitied in "Kevin – Alone at Home" by director Chris Columbus (62). From then on, they try to get their husband Peter (John Heard) and the chaotic rest of the family back to their homeland as quickly as possible.
Eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is having a real adventure. After discovering that the two stupid crooks Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) are planning a raid on his family's house, he defends himself with all possible means. The elementary school pupil gets unexpected help from his lonely neighbor Marley (Roberts Blossom).
The film comedy from 1991 and the sequel "Kevin – Alone in New York" (1992) have flickered regularly on the TV screens on the festive days for many years – including 2020. The station Sat.1 shows part one on Christmas Eve at 20 : 3 p.m., part two follows a day later, also at prime time. Both films will be repeated on Boxing Day at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Everything really goes wrong with the Griswolds on Christmas Eve
The Griswolds' festive season is as chaotic as the McCallister family. In the film "Schöne Bescherung" they want to celebrate in peace at home for a change, but Christmas Eve develops into a veritable string of absolute failures. For example, family head Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) only notices in the forest that he has forgotten the saw to cut the Christmas tree at home. Without further ado, the family digs up a tree that is much too big, including roots, and later breaks some window panes when it is set up in the living room.
But it does not stop at this faux pas. After some unloved relatives invite themselves to the Griswolds' Christmas party, Clark's expected Christmas bonus turns out to be a bland one-year cooking course – even though he has already taken out a large loan for the construction of a swimming pool.
Despite mixed reviews, the Christmas comedy by filmmaker Jeremiah S. Chechik (65) from 1989 developed into a true evergreen over time. In addition to the main actor Chevy Chase (77), Juliette Lewis (47, "Cape of Fear") and Johnny Galecki (45, "The Big Bang Theory") can also be seen. For the latter, it was one of his very first film roles. Sat.1 shows "Schöne Bescherung" on Christmas Eve at 4:05 pm.
Police officer John McClane always faces terrorists at Christmas
Not his own family, but real terrorists make New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) 's "Die Hard" (1988) Christmas hell. The criminals around Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) set themselves the goal of taking hostages of McClane's wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in the high-rise building in Los Angeles during the office Christmas party. Fortunately, the passionate law enforcement officer is also present at the party and single-handedly takes on the fight against Gruber and his gang.
Two years later, McClane did not enjoy a quiet Christmas party in "Die Hard 2" (1990). When the nefarious ex-officer Colonel Stuart (William Sadler) simply took over the entire capital airport in Washington D.C. paralyzed to free a South American dictator, the lives of numerous air passengers who are still in the air are suddenly in his hands. McClane's wife Holly is among them again.
Both part one and part two of the action series, which now comprises a total of five films, are among the annual program highlights at Christmas. Sat.1 shows the first entertaining solo effort by Bruce Willis (65) on December 24th at 10:25 p.m., the second follows on December 25th. at 10:50 p.m. The entire series is currently also part of the streaming offer from Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Love and suffer with Empress Sissi
While "Die Hard", "Kevin – Alone at Home" and Co. are modern classics, the "Sissi" trilogy is one of the true treasures of film history. The first part from 1955 is about the early years of the future Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Romy Schneider), who unexpectedly falls in love with her cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph (Karlheinz Böhm) – although he is supposed to become engaged to her sister Néné. In the end, however, there is a happy ending that moves you to tears.
The two sequels "Sissi – The Young Empress" (1956) and "Sissi – Fateful Years of an Empress" (1957) tell the story of the real Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary (1837-1898). Both private experiences such as the birth of her daughter Sophie and the political background events from the middle of the 19th century play a role.
In her lead role, the Franco-German actress Romy Schneider (1938-1982) became a true screen icon. The first shows the entire trilogy with her and Karlheinz Böhm (1928-2014) on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. "Sissi" runs on December 25th. at 2:55 p.m., part two immediately afterwards at 4:40 p.m. and part three on December 26th. at 4:45 p.m.
From "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella" to "Love Doesn't Need Holidays" to "A Christmas Prince"
Countless other films spread a Christmas spirit every year. They include the fairy tale film "Drei Hazelnuts für Cschenbrödel" (1973), the drama "Der kleine Lord" (1980), children's films such as "Santa Clause – Eine Schöne Bescherung" (1994) and "Der Grinch" (2000) as well as the romantic comedies "Indeed … Love" (2003), "Love Doesn't Need a Vacation (2006) and all parts of the" Bridget Jones "series (2001-2016).
Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime are now producing tons of their own Christmas films that could become classics – for example "A Christmas Prince" (2017) and "Prinzessinnentausch" (2018).