For the video game, see The Polar Express (video game)
The Polar Express is a 2004 American 3D computer-animated Christmas musical fantasy film based on the 1985 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who served as one of the executive producers on the film. Written, produced, and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film stars Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, and Eddie Deezen. It was released on November 10, 2004 by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Plot
This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus' 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.
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.
Cast
- Tom Hanks as the Hero Boy (motion-capture only), the Hero Boy's father, the Conductor, the Hobo, Santa Claus, and the Narrator
- Daryl Sabara as the Hero Boy (voice)
- Josh Hutcherson as the Hero Boy (additional motion-capture)
- Leslie Zemeckis as Sister Sarah (motion-capture only) and the Hero Boy's mother
- Isabella Peregrina as Sister Sarah (voice)
- Ashly Holloway as Sister Sarah (additional motion-capture)
- Eddie Deezen as the Know-It-All Kid
- Jimmy Pinchak as the Know-It-All Kid (additional motion-capture)
- Nona Gaye as the Hero Girl
- Chantel Valdivieso as the Hero Girl (additional motion-capture)
- Meagan Moore as the Hero Girl (singing voice)
- Tinashe as the Hero Girl (motion-capture modeling)
- Peter Scolari as Billy the Lonely Boy (motion-capture only)
- Hayden McFarland as Billy the Lonely Boy (additional motion-capture)
- Jimmy Bennett as Billy the Lonely Boy (voice)
- Matthew Hall as Billy the Lonely Boy (singing voice)
- Dylan Cash as Boy on Train (voice)
- Brendan King and Andy Pellick as the Pastry Chefs
- Josh Eli, Rolandas Hendricks, Jon Scott, Sean Scott, Mark Mendonca, Mark Goodman, *Gregory Gast, and Gordon Hart as the Waiters
- Andre Sogliuzzo as Smokey and Steamer (voice)
- Michael Jeter (in his final film role) as Smokey and Steamer (motion-capture only)
- Chris Coppola as Gus the Toothless Boy and an Elf
- Connor Matheus as the Toothless Boy (additional motion-capture)
- Julene Renee as the Red Head Girl and an Elf
- Phil Fondacaro, Debbie Lee Carrington, Mark Povinelli, and Ed Gale as Elves
- Charles Fleischer as the Elf General
- Steven Tyler as the Elf Lieutenant and the Elf Singer
- Dante Pastula as the Little Boy
- Eric Newton, Aidan O'Shea, Aaron Hendry, Kevin C. Carr, Bee Jay Joyer, Jena Carpenter, Karine Mauffrey, Beth Carpenter, Bill Forchion, Devin Henderson, and *Sagiv Ben-Binyamin as Acrobatic Elves
- Evan Sabara as a Young Boy (additional motion-capture)
Gallery
