This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This special limited edition spot gloss and embossed slipcover (designed by Robert Sammelin) is limited to2,000 unitsand is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!
"Easily the most insane example of Canadian children's cinema ever conceived." - Canuxploitation.com
While out looking for a Christmas tree one winter day, siblings François (François Gosselin) and Katou (Catherine Leduc) encounter a bizarrely dressed entity (Dirty Money’s Marcel Sabourin) who emanates bubbles and shoplifts from a convenience store. With Katou convinced this “man” is really a Martian, the children follow his green trail all the way to a flying saucer. After confirming his alien identity, they form an instant bond and pool their efforts to fix the Martian’s damaged spaceship, so he can return to his home planet. Meanwhile, the police join forces with a vigilante mob to track down this mysterious visitor and put his antics to an end.
A viable contender for weirdest Canadian movie of all time, The Christmas Martian takes family-friendly holiday entertainment to imaginatively inspired new places. With a uniquely carefree and child-like approach, director Bernard Gosselin (making his one and only fiction feature) paved the way for producer Rock Demers’ celebrated Tales for All series and arguably even E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Available here in its original French version and the more outlandish English dub, The Christmas Martian Is a misunderstood (and underseen) holiday gift that keeps on giving.
directed by: Bernard Gosselin starring: Catherine Leduc, François Gosselin, Marcel Sabourin, Guy L'Ecuyer, Roland Chenail, Paul Hébert 1971 / 61 min / 1.66:1 / French DTS-HD MA 1.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Scanned and restored in 2K from the 35mm original camera negative by Éléphant - mémoire du cinéma québécois
Complete English and French versions of the film
Audio commentary featuring Paul Corupe of Canuxploitation.com and film historian Jason Pichonsky
Trailers for All (1971-1994, 32 min.) – Theatrical trailers for The Christmas Martian and the first 15 films in the Tales for All series
Trailers for All commentary featuring Corupe and Pichonsky
New audio interview with actor Marcel Sabourin (2023, 13 min.)
The Joy of Winter (1962, 15 min.) – Documentary short directed by Gosselin and Martian producer Jean Dansereau
The Beach (1978, 4 min.) – Animated short based on a story by Martian screenwriter Roch Carrier
French theatrical trailer for The Christmas Martian
Booklet featuring a new interview with NFB curator Marc St-Pierre and an essay on composer Jacques Perron by Fantasia programmer Marc Lamothe
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.2937064 / 5 from 143 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The Christmas Martian, a limited edition Blu-ray, offers a unique holiday experience with special features, high-quality transfer, and engaging artwork. While opinions on the film itself vary, the overall product quality and release are highly praised.
"Very nice transfer and some pretty good special features." — Damon H.
"Totally odd yet fun film, and the slipcover artwork is awesome." — Kevin C.
"This movie was good goofy fun." — Dylan M.
Reviews
Another bizarre Christmas entry
"A fun and bizarre Christmas movie, good for a snowy day. Great packaging and presentation."
— Nathanial P. (5/5)
Another Insane Canadian Family Film
"An absolutely surreal experience. I did not grow up watching these films, but childhood me clearly missed out. Go for the english dub if you want maximum camp."
— Zakaria S. (5/5)
Worth it for the Trailers Alone
"Movie: Kid-friendly weirdness, and everything is fairly competently done. Some of the sequences are pretty fun to watch, but overall there's nothing really tying everything together. We learn a little of the alien's backstory near the end, and there's a moment where you can _imagine_ it adding some depth, but that doesn't end up happening. French version: There's a few small differences here w/ the translated subs vs. the audio from the English version. I also found the police officers' and some of the other adults' dialogue to be a little less annoying. Extras: The short films are fine, and the interviews are decent, but the real draw here is the trailers for 15 Tales for All films, including with commentary (for background on the movies). Packaging: Bonus points for reversible cover, plus the slipcover especially has a nice design."
— Gideon M. (4/5)
A Strange Holiday Curio on Blu ray
"Vinegar Syndrome’s Blu ray of Christmas Martian presents this oddball Quebec children’s film with surprising care. The transfer is clean and stable, highlighting its handmade charm and awkward effects. It remains deeply strange, but the presentation makes it an enjoyable seasonal curiosity."
— Tristin B. (5/5)
Not as good or fun
"Not as good or fun as it looks. Very nostalgic if you grew up up in part of Canada and seen these types of films during holidays."
— Edward l. (3/5)
The retroactively first tales for
"The retroactively first tales for all move, with a crazy martian that feels like an earlier version of E. T. Some nice extras give some info about this wacky one."
— Brian k. (5/5)
How can you not want
"How can you not want to own this just from the cover?"
— Keith M. (4/5)
Christmas Martian
"Great non traditional Christmas film, cool features, and great artwork. A solid one to throw on for a fun Christmas audience"
— Joseph K. (5/5)
Drug trip or kid movie. . . you decide.
"If you want to know what it's like to trip without actually doing drugs then go ahead and pop this movie in. French Canadian kid films just hit differently. Lots of special features. Great slipcover! Extra points for having a booklet!"
— Anthony L. (3/5)
Amazing !
"Superb packaging, it arrived in under a week, and I especially appreciate how the original French artwork were included, with also the French titles on the side of the slipcover ! Easily the best version on this film available anywhere. Glad that SOMEBODY is preserving Québec's film industry !"
— Julien B. (5/5)
Q&A
More Items to Consider
Cart
0 Item(s)
Stay in the know!
Join our mailing list for updates on new releases, promotions & events.
