THE POLAR EXPRESS

Genre: ANIMATION / FAMILY / FANTASY / ADVENTURE

Release Dates: NOVEMBER 10, 2004

Trailers:

Quicktime Teaser 1
(fullscreen)
(hi-res)
(med-res)
(lo-res)

Quicktime Teaser 2
(fullscreen)
(hi-res)
(med-res)
(lo-res)

Quicktime Trailer
(hi-res)
(med-res)
(lo-res)

International Trailer
(hi-res)
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TV Spot 1
(hi-res)
(med-res)
(lo-res)

TV Spot 2
(hi-res)
(med-res)
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TV Spot 3
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(med-res)
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TV Spot 4
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(lo-res)

Official Websites

U.S. release web site

French release web site

Brazilian release web site

Taglines:

Journey Beyond Your Imagination

This Holiday Season… Believe.

Don’t miss the holiday film of the season.

Production Company: Castle Rock Entertainment / Playtone / ImageMovers / Golden Mean / Shangri-La Entertainment / Universal CGI

Synopsis:

For one boy (the voices of Daryl Sabara and Tom Hanks) who doubts that Santa exists, 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 (also the voice of Tom Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with a great many other pajama wearing children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.

Crew: Robert Zemeckis (director and co-writer); William Broyles Jr. (co-writer); Chris Van Allsburg (based on his childrens’ book); Steven Boyd (co-producer); Gary Goetzman, William Teitler and Steve Starkey (producers); Debbie Denise, Peter Tobyansen and Josh McLaglen (associate producers); Tom Hanks, Jack Rapke and Chris Van Allsburg (executive producers)

Cast: Tom Hanks as Hero Boy/ Father/ Conductor/ Hobo/ Scrooge/ Santa Claus, Leslie Zemeckis as Sister Sarah/Mother, Eddie Deezen as Know-It-All, Nona Gaye as Hero Girl, Peter Scolari as Lonely Boy, Brendan King as Pastry Chef, Andy Pellick as Pastry Chef, Josh Eli as Waiter, Mark Mendonca as Waiter, Rolandas Hendricks as Waiter, Mark Goodman as Waiter, Jon Scott as Waiter, Gregory Gast as Waiter, Sean Scott as Waiter and Gordon Hart as Waiter

Studio: Warner Brothers

Other Info:

Film Fetish trivia:
The Polar Express was produced on a $170 million budget and cost another $125 million to market.

Warner Brothers split its costs with billionaire financier Steve Bing.

This was the first major studio film to be simultaneously released as a 3D IMAX presentation.

The locomotive in the movie is based on the Pere Marquette 1225, a restored steam locomotive located in Owosso MI.

The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the physical performances of the actors before “skinning” them with their animated forms.

In news photo of Santas on strike, they are carrying signs saying they are picketing Lone Pine Mall. That is the same mall at the end of Polar Express director Robert Zemekis’ Back to the Future film.

The premiere was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is author Chris Van Allsburg’s hometown.