Ah, the festive season on VHS. Alongside the usual rotation of Frosty, Rudolph, and George Bailey, sometimes you'd stumble across something… different. Something that didn't quite have the high-gloss sheen of a Disney epic or the stop-motion magic of Rankin/Bass, but possessed a unique charm all its own. For many of us browsing the animated section of the video store back in the day, Enzo D'Alò's 1996 film, How the Toys Saved Christmas (originally the Italian La freccia azzurra), was exactly that kind of discovery – a slightly melancholic, beautifully European take on the spirit of giving.
### A Different Kind of Christmas Sparkle
Forget the North Pole workshops bustling with rosy-cheeked elves. This story takes us to a slightly more grounded, almost Dickensian world. We meet Befana (voiced with weary warmth by the legendary Mary Tyler Moore in the popular Miramax English dub), the traditional Italian gift-giver, who's fallen ill just before her big night. Her greedy, efficiency-obsessed assistant, Scarafoni (brought to sneering life by the equally iconic Tony Randall), sees this as his chance. He plans to ditch Befana's heartfelt, personalized delivery system for a profit-driven, pay-to-play scheme, selling the toys meant for deserving children to the highest bidders. It’s a setup that feels less like a typical holiday fantasy and more like a gentle fable with a conscience, rooted in the 1964 book by celebrated Italian children's author Gianni Rodari.
The real magic begins when the toys themselves, led by the brave wooden marionette Captain Gip (Neil Affleck), overhear Scarafoni's dastardly plot. Refusing to be sold off like common merchandise, they decide to take matters into their own hands (or paws, or wheels). They escape the shop and embark on a snowy, nighttime adventure through the city streets to find the children whose names were originally on Befana's list, particularly a poor boy named Francesco who longs for a toy train – the titular "Blue Arrow" of the original Italian title.
### The Voices of Holiday Hope
While the animation might not have the fluidity of its bigger-budget American contemporaries, the voice cast of the English version certainly lent it some star power recognisable to 90s audiences. Mary Tyler Moore brings a lovely, grandmotherly tenderness to La Befana, grounding the fantastical elements. And who better to voice a comically villainous schemer than Tony Randall? His distinctive delivery adds just the right amount of theatrical dastardliness to Scarafoni, making him a character you love to dislike. The supporting toys each have distinct personalities, forming a ragtag team that feels genuinely endearing. Their determination and loyalty are the beating heart of the film.
### Hand-Drawn Heart
Directed by Enzo D'Alò, who would later helm other charming animated features like Lucky and Zorba (1998), How the Toys Saved Christmas boasts a visual style that feels distinctly European. The character designs are expressive, the backgrounds evoke a chilly, atmospheric winter cityscape, and the overall look has a hand-crafted quality that feels increasingly rare today. It's perhaps less polished than what American audiences were accustomed to from major studios, but that’s part of its appeal. There’s an earnestness to the animation, a feeling that every frame was drawn with care and affection. It reminds you of the illustrated storybooks that might have graced your own childhood bookshelf.
### Retro Fun Facts
Digging into the history of How the Toys Saved Christmas reveals some interesting tidbits. Being based on a work by Gianni Rodari, a recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, gives the story literary roots often missing from simpler holiday fare. The film itself was a success in its native Italy, even winning a David di Donatello award (Italy's equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Score. The Miramax version, while bringing the film to a wider audience with its star-studded dub, did make some alterations – changing character names (Befana is often just "Granny Rose" in the dub) and slightly softening some of the sharper edges of Rodari's social commentary about poverty and commercialism. Yet, even in translation, the core message shines through. It wasn't a massive box office smash internationally, making it more of a cherished find for those who caught it on VHS or TV rather than a ubiquitous classic.
### A Toy Story with Tears and Triumphs
What truly sets this film apart is its emotional core. It doesn't shy away from depicting the sadness of children facing a Christmas without gifts due to poverty. Francesco's quiet longing for the Blue Arrow train is genuinely touching. The toys' quest isn't just about adventure; it's about fulfilling wishes, delivering joy against the odds, and standing up to greed. There's a warmth and sincerity here that feels earned. While it shares the "toys coming to life" premise with Toy Story (which had premiered just a year earlier), the tone and focus are quite different – less buddy comedy, more gentle quest narrative with a stronger social message. It might even bring a little lump to your throat, remembering the pure, unadulterated joy a simple toy could bring on Christmas morning.
This film is a lovely reminder that holiday magic can come in quieter, less flashy packages. It champions kindness, empathy, and the idea that the best gifts come from the heart, not the wallet. It’s a perfect counter-programming choice if you’re looking for something festive but with a bit more soul and a slightly different cultural flavour.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: How the Toys Saved Christmas earns a solid 7 for its undeniable heart, charmingly distinct European animation style, strong voice work in the English dub (Mary Tyler Moore and Tony Randall are highlights), and its gentle, socially conscious message derived from Gianni Rodari's work. It’s a nostalgic treat that stands apart from typical American holiday specials. While the animation might feel dated to some and the pacing occasionally lags compared to modern standards, its sincerity and unique atmosphere make it a worthwhile and touching watch, especially for those seeking a less commercialized Christmas tale.
Final Thought: It may not have the loudest sleigh bells, but How the Toys Saved Christmas delivers a gentle chime of holiday warmth that resonates long after the credits roll – a truly sweet discovery from the back shelves of the video store memory lane.