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La freccia azzurra (Template:Lang-en, known as How the Toys Saved Christmas in the U.S.) is a 1996 Italian animated film directed by Enzo D'Alò, based on a tale by Gianni Rodari.
In the original version, the story took place during the Epiphany Eve, because in the Folklore of Italy the Befana is a good witch that gives presents and candies to the children during the night between 5 and 6 January.
Plot[]
On the Epiphany Eve, La Befana falls ill and must take off for a night, recruiting Scarafoni to help deliver all the toys that must go to the Italian children. No one but the toys knows that Scarafoni plans to auction off the toys to the highest bidder, which means that the toys won't make it to the children who have been good all year and therefore deserve them. The toys decide to deliver themselves: the story follows them as they struggle to avoid the heartless Scarafoni and to find their true homes.
Meanwhile, a young boy named Francesco whishes to receive as an Epiphany present the model of the Freccia Azzurra (Blue Arrow), the train where his late father used to work on. While Scarafoni is out looking for the escaping toys, a couple of burglars, Lesto and Scarpa, kidnap Francesco and force him to sneak inside the Befana's shop and taking away all the money. Francesco, instead, uses the telephone inside the shop to call the police who arrest the burglars; Befana understands that Francesco is not involved in the attempted robbery and, with much gratitude, exonerates Francesco.
Of all the toys, the plush dog Spicciola wishes to be given to Francesco. During the evening, after a fight against Scarafoni that splits him from the group, Spicciola turns into a real dog. The next morning, Spicciola finds Francesco and the two bonds immediately.
In the end, all the toys manage to deliver themselves to the children in their homes, but Scarafoni still has the money. However, everyone rushes to the toy shop and find Scarafoni with the money and manage to get it back from him, as Scarafoni is sent to prison. Befana, after having found that her illness was provoked by Scarafoni himself, who gave her a light poison instead of medicine, hires Francesco as her new helper, joined by Spicciola.
U.S. version[]
In 1997, the film was imported to the U.S. and released direct-to-video by Buena Vista Home Video, under the title "How the Toys Saved Christmas" (although, as shown in the previews, originally going to be titled "The Toys Who Saved Christmas").
The film featured Mary Tyler Moore as the voice for the Befana, who was named "Granny Rose" and is described as Santa Claus' helper, Tony Randall as Scarafoni (whose name suggest "scarafaggio" that means cockroach), who was named "Mr. Grimm", Michael Caloz as Francesco, who was named "Christopher Winter", and Sonja Ball as Spicciola the dog, renamed Jingles. Instead of being set during the Epiphany Eve, the film is set on Christmas Eve.
The film also had some scenes from the original Italian release deleted or placed before other scenes, along with some music scores taken out and new music added in.
Cast[]
| Character | Original Italian | English Dub (Miramax version) |
|---|---|---|
| Scarafoni/Mr. Grimm | Dario Fo | Tony Randall |
| La Befana/Granny Rose | Lella Costa | Mary Tyler Moore |
| Capitano Mezzabarba/Skipper | Vittorio Amandola | Richard M. Dumont |
| Pastello Verde/Green Pencil | Pino Ammendola | Terrence Scammell |
| Spicciola/Jingles the Dog | Monica Bertolotti | Sonja Ball |
| Generale/General Lajoie | Rodolfo Bianchi | Rick Jones |
| Francesco/Christopher Winter | Alida Milana | Michael Caloz |
| Penna d'Argento/Chief | Rino Bolognesi | Terrence Scammell |
| Arturo/Mr. Potter | Giorgio Borghetto | Bruce Dinsmore |
| Pilota/Pilot | Marco Bresciani | Thor Bishopric |
| Filippo Maria/Alfred | Alessio de Filippis | Susan Glover |
| Capotreno/Conductor | Oliviero Dinelli | Richard Dumont |
| Capo della polizia/Chief of Police | Pino Ferrara | Walter Massey |
| Macchinista/Train Driver | Christian Iansante | Arthur Holden |
| Statua/Statue | Michele Kalamera | Gary Jewell |
| Carlotta/Holly | Ilaria Latini | Holly G. Frankel |
| Barbara/Polly | Maggie Castle | |
| Pastello Rosso/Red Pencil | Sergio Luzi | Bruce Dinsmore |
| Pastello Giallo/Yellow Pencil | Neri Marcorè | Rick Jones |
| Scarpa/Rocko | Roberto Pedicini | Mark Camacho |
| Carlo Alberto/Milford | Davide Perino | Jane Woods |
| Mago/Wizard | Carlo Reali | Gary Jewell |
| Mastro Romualdo/Mr. Tinker | Nello Riviè | Walter Massey |
| Babbo Natale/Santa Claus | Renzo Stacchi | Neil Shee |
Additional Voices[]
- Original: George Castiglia (Aristide), Daniela Cavallini (Silvana, Attrice), Roberto Certomà (Marito povero), Laura Cosenza (Moglie povera, Cassiera), Pino Ammendola (Pastello Blu), Vittorio Battarra (Capostazione), Marco Bolognesi (Don Juan), Stefano de Filippis (Franco), Luigi Ferraro (Soldato), Sergio Luzi (Pastello Nero), Neri Marcorè (Attore, Padre dei bambini ricchi), Alida Milana (Francesco), Elena Perino (Marina), Francesco Pezzulli (Roberto, Vetturino), Renzo Stacchi (Simone, Poliziotto), Roberto Stocchi (Orso giallo), Gaetano Varcasia (Topo, Pastello Bianco, Pastello Marrone)
- English: Michael Rudder (Trainman, Theodore), Joanna Noyes (Maid, Ticket Seller), Mark Camacho (Rascal), Rick Jones (Duck)
