The Polar Express (2004) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error In 1 theater near Seattle WA US [ change ] WATCH NOW ON DISC ALL A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. Director: a list of 46 titles created 10 Mar 2012 a list of 21 titles created 24 Dec 2013 a list of 29 titles created 07 Nov 2015 a list of 31 titles created 3 months ago a list of 37 titles created 1 week ago Title: The Polar Express (2004) 6.6/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 22 nominations.

See more awards » Videos An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. Director: Robert Zemeckis When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Director: John Pasquin After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Director: Jon Favreau On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town. Director: Ron Howard An 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Director: Chris Columbus A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.

Directors: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam Stars: Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, June Foray Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for nearly ten years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Claus. Director: Michael Lembeck One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself in New York City, and the same criminals are not far behind. Director: Chris Columbus In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. Director: Bob Clark Santa's clumsy son Arthur gets put on a mission with St. Nick's father to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than 2 hours. Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook Stars: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy Frosty the Snowman (TV Short 1969) Animation | Short | Comedy A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman's magic hat.

Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. Stars: Jackie Vernon, Billy De Wolfe, Jimmy Durante A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas, however, every store is sold out of them, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one. Director: Brian Levant Edit Storyline This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. What unfolds is an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com} This Holiday Season... Believe. See more » Genres: 10 November 2004 (USA) See more » Also Known As: The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience See more » Filming Locations: $23,323,463 (USA) (12 November 2004) Gross: Did You Know?

Trivia The locomotive in the movie is based on the Pere Marquette 1225, a restored steam locomotive located in Owosso, MI. In fact, many of the sound effects of the film's train are recordings of the actual train. The train is often run between Owosso and nearby Ashley during the holiday season. See more » Goofs Whenever the engineer opens the throttle on the locomotive, he pushes it away from him, the further away he pushes it the faster the train will go. In reality, the engineer must pull the throttle lever towards him to accelerate while pushing it away from him closes the throttle valve. See more » Quotes [first lines] Hero Boy : On Christmas Eve many years ago I laid quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets, I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear: the sound of Santa's sleigh bells. At the very end, it reads "In Dedication to Michael Jeter " with a picture. See more » Connections (St. Louis, Missouri) – See all my reviews There is a fleeting moment in THE POLAR EXPRESS where the title vehicle passes a department store with an elaborate Christmas display in the window.

Everyone is excited by the sight, especially the story's protagonist, "Hero Boy," until he sees the mechanical gears that reveal the display's Santa Claus to be a machine. That's the problem with THE POLAR EXPRESS, it is a splendid, wildly inventive machine, but it keeps on reminding us that it, quite literally, lacks a human face. Based on Chris Van Allsburg's slight but textured children's book, the film attempts to capture that book's subtle, albeit dark, visual tone. And for the most part the filmmakers do a stunning job. The artwork and animation, done largely with computers, is rich and detailed and often about as close to lifelike as any animation that I have ever seen. Therefore it is ironic that the remarkably high standards the film sets with most of the animation and artwork only serves to highlight the other aspects of the art that do fail so jarringly. The train, the snow, the sweeping landscapes and even the animals such as wolves and reindeer are all so incredibly meticulous in detail and movement, that it only makes the failure of the artists to replicate the human characters all the more startling and disappointing. The human beings in the story seem trapped in a limbo, being neither quite cartoon and certainly not quite human.

It is strange that the animators do an outstanding job of recreating skin texture and coloring and even the various subtleties of hair, but can't quite recreate the most revealing aspect of being human, the eyes. The mouth movements are disappointing too, but it is the eyes that are, well, just plain creepy. Like the characters in Japanese anime or the sad orphans painted on black velvet, these characters have eyes that have a cold, spookiness to them. They are a mild, if unrelenting, distraction in some scenes, but they quietly spoil many of the major moments where the film strives for an emotional intimacy. It is a serious problem when you literally don't want to look a character in the eye, especially if the character is a child. The film uses a technology called "performance capture," wherein an actor actually gives a three-dimensional performance which is recorded digitally by a computer, to then be manipulated into animated art. Performance capture is an extension of CGI and, as used in films like THE LORD OF THE RINGS, further blurs the line between what is animation and what is special effects.

The process seems to work fairly well as far as body movement goes; the animated characters move with genuine lifelike grace that is far superior to previous attempts, such as the animated action sequences in SPIDER-MAN or THE HULK. Indeed, a dance sequence involving a band of hyperkenetic waiters is a showstopper. But the process just does not work as far as detailing facial features. Cartoon humans from Elmer Fudd to Fred Flintstone are more simplistic, yet more human than the waxworks faces in THE POLAR EXPRESS. Their cartoonishness gives them a personality that is missing from the POLAR EXPRESS characters. I suppose that as the technology progresses, the ability to create totally believable human faces will be achieved to some credible degree. But the question is why? It's like making vanilla wafers with artificial flavoring; why seek a substitute for something natural and superior. The director of THE POLAR EXPRESS is Robert Zemeckis, a clever and skilled craftsman whose work includes the brilliant WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, a film that blends real and cartoon images wonderfully.

THE POLAR EXPRESS would have been so much better had they followed the lead of ROGER RABBIT and, like SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, merged high-tech trickery with the simple honesty of the human face. Repeatedly throughout THE POLAR EXPRESS, I found myself wishing certain scenes were featuring real actors; I can't think of any other time where I thought a cartoon would be better as live action. Despite its optimistic Yuletide moral about the power of believing and its child's eye view of the world, the film really isn't a kids movie. THE POLAR EXPRESS has a Twilight Zone quality to it; not unlike the many versions of A CHR1STMAS CAROL or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. The film is dark, and even in its most upbeat moments the story and the storytelling are strangely subdued. Not quite brooding or grim, but far from joyful. While obviously directing the film towards children, the filmmakers don't seem to understand kids. Little things are telling, like failing to give the characters names other than generic titles, like Hero Boy, Lonely Boy, Hero Girl, Know-It-All, etc.

Such a lame literary device as reducing a character to a nameless symbolic entity is lost on children; they want to know people's names. Children can't relate to nameless, faceless characters. Neither can adults for that matter. Humans have names, and for that matter so do cartoon characters. Though it is seriously flawed, THE POLAR EXPRESS is still a remarkable effort, visually stunning and ultimately even emotionally rewarding. But no amount of artistic talent can capture the simple beauty or honesty of a living child's face; it may have been folly for the filmmakers to even try. 21 of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Audience Reviews for The Polar Express ½ Great animation, voice work, and a heartwarming story. But one needn't pay homage to the North Pole by imbuing the film with glacial pacing and completely unnecessary scenes. At times the experience was like opening presents on Christmas morning and every gift you rip open is a pair of socks. Christian C Super Reviewer Some fantastic animation for the time, some great performances from Sabara and Hanks, a good adaptation of the novel, and just a fun movie.

Michael Edwards Super Reviewer Well, I just watched this finally...almost 10 years later. I liked it a lot!! I can see that is was a new frontier of film making, and it was a little rough yet. People, apparently, were not used to seeing computer image cartoons, either. But, the storyline was wonderful, sweet, heartwarming, and it really got me into the Christmas spirit this year. Nicely done!! Cynthia S. Film Review: The Polar Express (2004) Home | Film Reviews | Film Review: The Polar Express (2004) Film Review: The Polar Express (2004) Nigel Honeybone 12/30/2015 Film Reviews SYNOPSIS: “Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting Boy, an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children.

There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.” (courtesy IMDB) REVIEW: At about a thousand words and fifteen large oil pastel paintings, Chris Van Allsburg‘s book The Polar Express told the tale of a nameless Boy who receives a visit one Christmas Eve from a ghostly locomotive that arrives outside his bedroom window and carries him to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Rendered in a lush romantic style accompanied by simple, elegant prose, the story told how the fantastic journey helped the Boy face his growing suspicion that there is no Santa. The slender tome sold more than five million copies, won the 1986 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American children’s picture book. Both Warner Brothers Studios and Castle Rock Entertainment investigated developing the material as a live-action film to be directed by Rob Reiner, but the project was quickly dismissed. Perhaps too quickly.

It became a favourite bedtime story for many children and their parents, including actor Tom Hanks who, in 2000, presented a copy to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis with a Post-It note attached: “Can you do anything with this?” Zemeckis took an immediate liking to both the concept and the slight storyline: “That’s what I love about it. It’s a clean canvas. I can do whatever I want!” With Hanks and Zemeckis attached, the project took shape in another form. Instead of a purely live-action adaptation, Zemeckis sought to bring Van Allsburg’s book to life using digital animation and integrating Hanks’ performance. All the physical performances were to captured digitally, and all the children’s roles were to be acted by adults using oversized props to get the movement right. The Polar Express (2004) is now listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first all-digital motion-capture film. The opening of the film drifts through a snowbound street at night, one of several hundred moving matte paintings.

Waking up in his bed, the Boy (Daryl Sabara) steps from his house into a world full of snowflakes (the name of the Boy is never mentioned in the film but, according to several official sources, the Boy’s name is Chris, named after the author). One of the most complex characters seen in the film is revealed in a pall of steam and engine smoke: Four carriages, observation car, locomotive and coal tender that is the Polar Express (based on the Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive, for all you trainspotters out there. In fact many of the train’s sound effects are recordings of the actual train). When the Boy examines the engine, the Conductor (Tom Hanks) lets him board the train. Once on board the train, the Boy encounters a carriage full of children, including a Girl (Nona Gaye) and a Know-It-All kid (Eddie Deezen, who talks so fast he probably has more dialogue than Hanks). When the train picks up Billy (Peter Scolari, Hanks’ co-star from Bosom Buddies), it transports the children out of the town through a moonlit forest, where wolves prowl the trees.

The Conductor summons several waiters to give the children hot chocolate, and the Girl keeps a second cup under her seat to give to Billy, who is alone in the observation car. While the Girl and Conductor deliver the cup to Billy, the Boy discovers the Girl’s ticket is unpunched, but loses it. In a whirlwind sequence, the ticket blows away and takes a circuitous journey through the woodland environment. After the ticket is abused by the wind and animals, it slips back into the train. The Girl explains her lost ticket, and the Conductor considers ejecting her before taking her for a walk on the top of the train instead. The Boy then locates the lost ticket and pursues them. In his attempt to reunite the lost ticket with its owner, the Boy clambers across the roof of the speeding train where he meets a Hobo (Tom Hanks) playing the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas. The campfire on the roof of the train carriage reveals the Hobo through the snow, illuminating the character as a sinister and otherworldly apparition who claims to be the owner of the train and King of North Pole.

The Hobo directs the Boy to follow behind him and helps him reach the engine before they make it to Flat Top Tunnel, thus allowing him to find and help his friend (the Hobo is a representation of the Holy Spirit and guides those who believe in Him to safety, even in perilous times). The boy jumps into the engine’s coal tender and finds the Girl driving the train while engineers Steamer (Michael Jeter) and Smokey (Michael Jeter) replace the train’s headlight. After a number of perilous adventures the train finally reaches the North Pole, and the kids begin to form lines while the Boy and Girl find Billy depressed and alone in the observation car. The trio explore the city’s industrial areas until they fall into a pile of presents designated for delivery. The elves remove the kids and, as the reindeer are prepared, Santa Claus (Tom Hanks) arrives. One bell breaks loose from the harness, and the Boy retrieves it. Santa gives the bell to the Boy saying it’s the first gift of Christmas. Santa leaves with his reindeer while an Elvish rock band (led by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler) plays in celebration, then the children prepare for their return trip home.

Santa’s reflection can be seen in the sleigh bell for just a few seconds, when it is shown in close-up, after the Boy places the bell on the table. The narrator ends the story by saying the bell only rings for those who truly believe. Robert Zemeckis obviously had a lot of fun making The Polar Express and makes several references to his previous films, particularly the Back To The Future (1984) trilogy, including dialogue, scenery and effects. In one scene an elf describes a bad little boy in New Jersey named Steven who terrorises his two little sisters, a reference to producer Steven Spielberg, who grew up in New Jersey and frequently scared his two younger sisters. Composer Alan Silvestri had also done the soundtrack for Reindeer Games (2000), and recycles several key notes. There’s also many references to Charles Dickens‘ novel A Christmas Carol. Like Scrooge, the Boy no longer believes in Santa Claus, causing the three ghosts of Christmas (Hobo, Conductor, Santa) to change him forever. The Hobo is the Ghost of Christmas Past, and tries to intimidate the Boy into changing his ways using only himself instead of the future.

The Conductor is the Ghost of Christmas Present and is in charge of keeping order while delivering the Boy to Santa. Finally, Santa is Christmas Future and changes the Boy forever, just as Scrooge was. There’s also the less-than-obvious Biblical references invoked by The Polar Express. Tom Hanks voices many of the characters even if his likeness is discernible only as the Conductor. He also voices both Santa Claus and the mysterious Hobo. The Hobo is suggested as being a spirit when he asks the Boy if he believes in ghosts, but a deleted scene found on the DVD verifies that the Hobo is indeed a ghost. The multiple roles of Hanks are not simply an artistic choice but they intentionally constitute some symbolic undertones in the plot. Santa Claus, the Conductor and the Hobo represent the Holy Trinity and the trip to the North Pole is a test of the Boy’s faith since he expresses some doubts about the existence of Santa Claus (who represents God). The Conductor represents Jesus Christ, who continually tries to keep the children inside the train and ensures that the locomotive will not deviate (meaning that he guides Christians to the right path).

Finally, the Hobo represents the Holy Ghost due to the fact that he is a spirit who guides the Boy by continually testing his faith and giving him options. The simultaneous worldwide theatrical release and Imax 3-D presentation of The Polar Express elevated the film to the scale of an event that, for many, heralded a new form of animated film. Effects artist Jerome Chen: “It is a new genre and, as a genre, it won’t be appropriate for every kind of movie. I don’t think we’ll be seeing performance capture used for remaking My Dinner With Andre (1981), but I’m hoping that it opens up other types of movies, giving filmmakers a new avenue to explore.” Like most experimental films to come out of Hollywood, critics were polarised: Rotten Tomatoes: “Though the movie is visually stunning overall, the animation for the human characters isn’t lifelike enough and the story is padded.” Roger Ebert: “There’s a deeper, shivery tone instead of the mindless jolliness of the usual Christmas movie. It has a haunting, magical quality. It’s a little creepy.

Not creepy in an unpleasant way, but in that sneaky, teasing way that lets you know eerie things could happen.” Richard Roeper: “It remains true to the book, right down to the bittersweet final image.” James Berardinelli: “A delightful tale guaranteed to enthral viewers of all ages.” There was also some controversy concerning the actual animation process and lifelike characters approaching the infamous ‘Uncanny Valley’. Peter Travers: “A failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong.” Stephanie Zacharek: “I could probably have tolerated the incessant jitteriness of The Polar Express if the look of it didn’t give me the creeps.” Geoff Pevere: “If I were a child I’d have nightmares. Come to think of it, I did anyway.” Paul Clinton: “At best disconcerting and, at worst, a wee bit horrifying.” In retrospect, only a decade later, The Polar Express has become choice Holiday viewing, already regarded by many as a Christmas classic.

I’ll leave you with that thought in mind, to bid you a good night and ask you to return next week with a stout heart, an iron stomach and a titanium bladder for another head-melting romp through the garden of unearthly delights known as…Horror News! Toodles! Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (1/5) Movie CLIP - All Aboard (2004) HD - YouTube The Polar Express (1/5) Movie CLIP - All Aboard (2004) HD Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on May 26, 2011 The Polar Express movie clips: BUY THE MOVIE: Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: CLIP DESCRIPTION: A boy who's losing his Christmas spirit gets invited on board the Polar Express.

FILM DESCRIPTION: Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on children's author Chris Van Allsburg's modern holiday classic of the same name, The Polar Express revolves around a boy (Hayden McFarland), who longs to believe in Santa Claus but finds it quite difficult to do so, what with his family's dogged insistence that all of it, from the North Pole, to the elves, to the man himself, is all just a myth. This all changes, however, on Christmas Eve, when a mysterious train visits the boy in the middle of the night, promising to take him and a group of other lucky children to the North Pole for a visit with Santa. The train's conductor (Tom Hanks) along with the other passengers help turn the boy's crisis of faith into a journey of self-discovery. A long-time fan of Van Allsburg's book, Hanks also helped produce the film. CREDITS: Cast: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara Director: Robert Zemeckis Producers: Steven J. Boyd, Debbie Denise, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Josh McLaglen, Steve Starkey, Peter M.

Tobyansen, William Teitler, Chris Van Allsburg, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke Screenwriters: William Broyles Jr., Robert Zemeckis, Chris Van Allsburg WHO ARE WE? The MOVIECLIPS channel is the largest collection of licensed movie clips on the web. Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes and lines from all your favorite films. Made by movie fans, for movie fans. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MOVIE CHANNELS: All aboard for Jesus The Polar Express is the tale of a boy's dreamlike train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Like all stories worth knowing, it's rich enough in image and feeling to accommodate many interpretations. Chris Van Allsburg, the author of the book , calls his story a celebration of childhood wonder and imagination. William Broyles Jr., one of the screenwriters of this year's film version, calls it a kind of Odyssey in which a hero undertakes a mythic, perilous journey of self-discovery. And Paul Lauer, who is a key player in the film's marketing apparatus, sees The Polar Express as a parable for the importance of faith in Jesus Christ.

Lauer's firm, Motive Entertainment , is best known for coordinating the faith-based marketing of The Passion of the Christ. Motive helped spread early word of mouth about the filmby holding screenings for church groups and talking the movie up to religious leaders. When The Passion took in a stunning $370 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, Lauer and his cohorts got a lot of the credit. Earlier this year, Motive was hired by Warner Bros. to promote The Polar Express to Christians. But wait, is The Polar Express an evangelical film? Advertisement You'd certainly think so, considering the expansive campaign of preview screenings, radio promotion, DVDs, and online resources that Lauer unfurled in the Christian media this fall. This Polar Express downloads page includes endorsements from pastors and links to church and parenting resources hosted by the Christian media outlet HomeWord . There are suggestions for faith-building activities and a family Bible-study guide that notes, for example, the Boy's Christ-like struggle to get the Girl a train ticket. "The Boy risked it all to recover the ticket," the guide observes.

"Jesus gave His all to save us from the penalty of our sins." HomeWord Radio , which claims to reach more than a million Christian parents daily, broadcast three shows promoting the film. At one point, the show's host wondered excitedly if the movie "might turn out to be one of the more effective witnessing tools in modern times." Motive also produced a promotional package that was syndicated to over 100 radio stations in which Christian recording artists like Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Avalon talked about the movie as they exited preview screenings. Motive's biggest gambit, though, was sending promotional DVDs to 50,000 churches. The " Preaching and Teaching Resource DVD " features a brief Q and A with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis with no religious content. There's also a section called "Connection Ideas." Connection Idea No. 1 is to take a Sunday school class to see The Polar Express. Connection Idea No. 2 is to take a family trip to see The Polar Express. The DVD's main attraction is the Scripture lessons culled from eight of the movie's scenes. At the beginning of each segment, leading evangelical writer, speaker, and minister Max Lucado offers a 1-minute commentary.

In one scene, the Boy gets a bit nervous as the conductor invites him to climb aboard the strange and magical train. We too are nervous, Lucado explains while perched in an armchair, "not about trusting the train conductor, but about trusting Christ." Gary Gaddini, senior pastor of the Peninsula Covenant Church near San Francisco, told me that he used four of these clips and commentaries as the basis for a popular sermon he called, "Oh Come All Ye Doubtful." Advertisement If you didn't know about the promotional DVD and the family Bible-study guide, you might not think The Polar Express had an evangelical message. While the movierepeatedly stresses the value of faith and belief, it doesn't overtly peddle Christianity. The movie's epiphanic moment is a good example of this ambiguity. The Boy shouts, "I believe! I believe! I believe!" When he turns around, Santa Claus appears before him for the first time. Some audience members—and a few Christian film critics —would argue that Santa Claus isn't necessarily a stand-in for Jesus Christ.

Last month, Lauer told the Mobile Register that he sees The Polar Express as a parable, "not a movie about belief in God." But when Lauer speaks to a Christian audience, he tells a different story. Lauer told HomeWord Radio that when he asked Robert Zemeckis about all the biblical parallels he was seeing in the film, the director "winked and said, 'Nothing in a movie this big ends up in the script by accident.' " (Zemeckis was traveling and wasn't available for comment.) Chris Van Allsburg, who says he's open to all interpretations of his classic children's story, told me he had no idea that Warner Bros. had any plan to market the film to evangelicals. He also says that he had never seen the preaching and teaching DVD until I showed it to him. William Broyles, who co-wrote the screenplay with Zemeckis, adds that he made no effort to embed any biblical messages in the Christmas movie. "We were very determined not to make [the movie] sectarian or of a particular religious faith in any way." After a slow start, The Polar Express has picked up steam and may well make back its $165 million production budget.

Considering his track record, Lauer might see a lot more work coming his way. He's already started planning for his next major project, a big-budget adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia . Lauer describes the movie as The Lord of the Rings meets the Bible. Now, that's something everyone can believe in. 1000+ images about The polar express on Pinterest | The polar express, The polar express movie and The polar express 2004 The Polar Express. We read this to our boys then they were little and this first came out. That was late 80's? We still have it and put it out at Christmas! See More The Polar Express - Wikiquote The Polar Express Jump to: navigation , search The Polar Express is a 2004 film about a boy who learns the the true meaning of Christmas when he takes a train ride to the North Pole. Directed by Robert Zemeckis . Written by Robert Zemeckis and William Broyles , based on the children's book of the same title by Chris Van Allsburg . This Holiday Season... Believe Conductor[ edit ] Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on. [repeated line] ALL ABOARD! [repeated line] Why, to the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express! [repeated line] That's more like it. What in the name of Mike?! CARIBOU CROSSING?! Hero Boy[ edit ] [first line, as narrator] On Christmas Eve, many years ago I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I’d never hear. The ringing bells of Santa’s sleigh. [last line, as narrator] 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 it's sweet sound. Though I have grown old, the bell still rings for me. As it does for all who truly believe. [repeated line] I believe. [to Lonely Boy and worried about Hero Girl] Where'd they go? What happened to them? Please, she's in big trouble and you have to help me.

[singing] The best time of the year When everyone comes home. With all this Christmas cheer, It’s hard to be alone. Putting up the Christmas tree With friends who come around. It’s so much fun When Christmas comes to town. Santa[ edit ] This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart. [holding up the silver sleigh bell] The first gift of Christmas! [in a note to Hero Boy] Found this on the seat of my sleigh. Better fix that hole in your pocket. Mr. C. Hobo[ edit ] [to the Hero Boy] One more thing; do you believe in ghosts? [the Hero Boy shakes his head, then in a sinister tone] Interesting. Conductor: Why, to the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express! Conductor: Who in the blazes applied that emergency brake?! Know-It-All: [points to the Hero Boy] He did! Conductor: You. [sternly approaches the Hero Boy] In case you didn't know, that cord is for emergency purposes only! And in case you weren't aware, tonight is Christmas Eve!

And in case you hadn't noticed, this train is on a very tight schedule now, young man. Christmas may not be important to some people, but it is very important to the rest of us! Hero Boy: But, but, but, but, but... Hero Girl: He was just trying to stop the train so that kid could get on! [Conductor sees Billy sitting alone in the next carriage.] Conductor: I see. Young man, is that what happened? [Hero Boy nods.] Conductor: Well, let me remind you we are on a very tight schedule. [checks watch] a-a-and I've never been late before, and I am certainly not going to be late tonight! Now, everybody! Take your seats, please! [Everyone sits down] Thank you. Conductor: [to Hero Girl] Am I to understand you lost your ticket? Hero Boy: She didn't lose her ticket, I did. Well, the wind blew it out of my hand. [Shows hero girl his ticket] You can have my ticket. Conductor: Ah! [snatches it] These tickets are not transferable.

[gives back the hero boy his ticket] Young lady, you're just going to have to come along with me. [they leave through the back of the car] Know-It-All: You know what’s going to happen now, don't ya? He’s going to throw her off the train! Yeah, he’s going to probably throw her right at the rear platform. It’s standard procedure. That way, she won’t get sucked down under the wheels. They may slow the train down a little bit, but they’re never going stop that. Hero Boy: "Stop that"? That’s it! I have to stop the train again. Know-It-All: No, please, don’t do that again. Hobo: Is there something I can do for you? Hero Boy: I’m looking for a girl. Hobo: A gir...? [bursts out laughing hysterically] Ain’t we all? Hobo: What exactly is your persuasion on the big man? Since you brought him up. Hero Boy: Well, I... I want to believe, but... Hobo: But you don’t wanna be bamboozled. You don’t wanna be led down the primrose path.

You don’t wanna be conned or duped, have the wool pulled over your eyes. Hoodwinked. You don’t wanna be taken for a ride, railroaded. Seeing is believing. Am I right? Hobo: That skirt you're chasing mustn't moved on ahead. We got to high tail it to the hog, pronto! Hero Boy: The hog? Hobo: The engine. The engine, you tenderfoot. We've got to make it before we hit Flat-Top Tunnel. Hero Boy: Why? Hobo: [sighs] So many questions. There's but one inch of clearance between the roof of this rattler and the top of Flat-Top Tunnel. Savvy? [After Hero Boy stops the train seconds before impact with thousands of caribou, Smokey and Steamer, the twins on the front of the engine on the train] Conductor: There can be no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! [enters the engine's cabin] You! I should've known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole?

Hero Girl: [leans out of the window of the engine and points her finger at some Caribou] But look! Conductor: [looks out the window] CARIBOU CROSSING?! [Outside...] Steamer: I make this herd to be at least 100,000, maybe even 1,000,000! It's gonna be hours before they clear this track! Smokey: A tough nut to crack! Conductor: Boy, we are in some serious jelly! Steamer: And jam! Smokey: I'll tell you what's grass... Conductor: I don't like the look of this. Quick, under the safety bar! Hero Boy: Is everything all right? What do we do? Conductor: Considering the fact that we have lost communications with the engineer, we are standing totally exposed on the front of the locomotive, the train appears to be accelerating uncontrollably, and we are rapidly approaching Glacier Gulch, which happens to be the steepest downhill grade in the world, I suggest, we all hold on... TIGHTLY!!!

[the train speeds down with the Conductor, Hero Boy, and Hero Girl standing on the front of the engine] Conductor: All right. All right, ladies and gentlemen, two columns, if you please. Shorter in the front, taller in the rear. Even-numbered birthdays on the right, odd-numbered on the left. No pushing. No pushing. But let's not dilly-dally, it's five minutes to midnight. Know-It-All: Hey, what gives? It was five minutes until midnight four minutes ago. Conductor: Exactly! Hero Boy: We're going to be okay. [They get diverted onto another track downhill] MAYBE NOOOOOOOT!!! Santa: I see you've made some new friends. Billy: Yes, sir. I sure have. Santa: That’s a lucky lad. There’s no greater gift than friendship. Hero Girl: It’s everything I dreamed it would be. Billy: Could all this be nothing but a dream? Hero Boy: No. 1000+ images about Le Pôle Express / The Polar Express on Pinterest | Home alone, Conductors and Christmas eve Forward Dying to get out of the house?

How about stopping by the library to watch The Polar Express?!? We will be showing it at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 27. The movie will include projection viewing, free admission, and a place for you and your friends to hang. Since this is our annual holiday movie hot cocoa will be provided See More

Question: Which 2004 film sees Tom Hanks take a boy on a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus?
Answer: The Polar Express