The Heist Before Christmas is a 2023 British Christmas film starring Timothy Spall and James Nesbitt. It is written by Ronan Blaney, directed by Edward Hall, and produced by Calico Pictures and SHUK (Studio Hamburg UK).
| The Heist Before Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Edward Hall |
| Screenplay by | Ronan Blaney |
| Starring | |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Sky Max |
Release date |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Synopsis edit
This section needs expansion with: the full plot; film has now been released. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024) |
A twelve year-old witnesses a bank robbery committed by a man dressed as Santa Claus during a 'Santa Dash' and follows the robber only to also meet a man claiming to be the real Father Christmas.[1][2]
Cast edit
- Timothy Spall as Father Christmas
- James Nesbitt as Robber
- Bamber Todd as Mikey
- Joshua McLees as Sean[3]
- Bronagh Waugh as Georgina[4]
Production edit
Written by Ronan Blaney, the film, then entitled Joy to the World, was announced by the Sky Group in February 2023, with filming scheduled to take place in and around Belfast. Production comes from SHUK and Calico Pictures.[5] The title was changed to The Heist Before Christmas prior to broadcast.[6]
Filming edit
Principal photography took place in Newtownabbey and Monkstown, County Antrim and Rathfriland County Down in March 2023.[7][8] That month, filming also took place in the Turf Lodge housing estate, Belfast.[9]
Casting edit
Lead actors James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall were joined in the cast by young actors Bamber Todd and Joshua McLees, both from Northern Ireland and 13 and 11 years old, respectively.[10]
Broadcast edit
It was broadcast in the UK on Sky Max on 24 December 2023.[11]
Reception edit
The Guardian's Lucy Mangan rated it four stars, calling it a "magnificent drama" but bemoaning the ending as "a bit of a mess".[12] The Independent's Nick Hilton was less positive, rating it two stars, praising its "ambitious, anti-capitalist" outlook, but criticising its execution as "cheap" and "hammy".[13]
References edit
- ^ Bałaga, Marta (24 September 2023). "Timothy Spall Talks Being Santa in 'Joy to the World,' the 'True Horror' of 'Sixth Commandment,' Harry Potter's Shift Toward Being a 'Religion'". Variety. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "Joy to the World". Comedy.Co.Uk. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Molina-Whyte, Lidia (24 November 2023). "The Heist Before Christmas releases trailer with James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ Black, Rebecca (24 November 2023). "New Sky Christmas movie 'a fairytale for our times' – director". Irish News. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall get their Claus out". Chortle. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Vickers-Green, Laura (13 November 2023). "UK Christmas 2023 TV Guide: the Best Festive Specials, New Drama & Comedy Series". Den of Geek. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ McGurk, Helen (28 March 2023). "Jimmy Nesbitt spotted filming new Christmas drama in Co Antrim". Newsletter.Co.uk.
- ^ "James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall film Sky drama in Monkstown". Northernirelandworld. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Ní Ghréacháin, Gráinne (16 March 2023). "James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall in Turf Lodge filming Christmas drama". Belfast Media. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ O'Dordan, David (26 November 2023). "Child stars Bamber and Josh ready to steal hearts in new Christmas heist film". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Vickers-Green, Laura (13 November 2023). "UK Christmas 2023 TV Guide: the Best Festive Specials, New Drama & Comedy Series". Den of Geek. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (24 December 2023). "The Heist Before Christmas review – Timothy Spall's festive drama is a total triumph". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Ambitious, anti-capitalist film The Heist Before Christmas could have been excellent". The Independent. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
