David and the Elves (2021) User Reviews

Hampered by Dubbing

[Pigbelly · 5/10 · 9 December 2021]

This production screams quality. The sets, costume, acting, and direction down to camera movements and an overall directorial vision that is cohesive and deliberate. These are a few of the excellent qualities of Michal Rogalski's "Dawid i Elfy" (David and the Elves).

I was enthralled right up until someone spoke. This has nothing to do with any the voice actors' ability or talent, it is the fault of whoever chose to overdub this film rather than to just have subtitles. It is likely no worse than any other film's overdubbing, however, with a film of this quality, it comes across as cheap, rushed and performed by actors that seeming didn't have enough time to prepare for their roles and who just ended up reading lines (often in isolation and not interacting with other actors) into a microphone in a studio. I very well could be wrong but that is my major gripe with this otherwise great little film.

charming

[Kirpianuscus · 1 January 2022]

Obvious, I love it. Because it preserves all flavors of my childhood . Because it is that kind of Christmas films proposing self rediscover. An elf looking for know the people. A Santa having not the most charming experiences with humans. A boy and his father, exploring, together, a fantastic world. A skeptical mother. The grandparends reminding, in some measure, the grandpa of Heidi. And a lot of adventures.

I do not know what can propose/ suggest this film to a Western / American public. For me, it was a fine resurrection of memories about Arabella, Polish animation, Soviet fairy tales adaptations.

Sure, a lot of unrealistic situations ( the turn of mother can be the first ) and flaws. But it is a profound charming film. This is its basic trait, most important fact and the feelings after final credits are the best. And the young Dawid propose a great role, reminding, in fair way, the unique maturity and wisdome of children.

The movie sucked

[manceborivas · 1/10 · 9 December 2021]

Out of 10 ill give it a 1 just because the little boy was an annoying know it all! The movie started a bit funny but then the elf started to do annoying things that made no sense!

A fun Christmas film that it isn't too sweet or cliche

[jo1228 · 7/10 · 10 December 2021]

I wasn't expecting much from this film, like most Netflix Christmas movies, but this was an enjoyable watch. It wasn't annoying and flashy and loud. It wasn't too sweet and sappy either. The costumes and sets were top quality and I enjoyed the natural acting. The story was engaging and had some cute, funny moments. For the commenter who mentioned dubbing, you can switch your Netflix settings to subtitled and the problem is solved. Overall, it's a fun little film that captures the season and doesn't rely on cliches. A very good effort.

So weird

[tayrai · 1/10 · 16 December 2021]

All the characters have a bad attitude and are rude. Not what you think of when you think of family Christmas movies. The whole movie is like a terrible voice over.

About as bad as you can get

[RexVegas · 1/10 · 23 December 2021]

Painful. Kids stopped paying attention 30 minutes into it. There are much better ways to spend a family movie night. Spare yourself and put on a classic.

Funny movie for all

[iwsifina · 10/10 · 11 December 2021]

I'm 38 and I find this movie funny, I cried a bit to be honest on the end but the Elfy acting excellent for this movie.

Do not expect to be everything perfect but in general this movie is funny, cute, kids can learn to love.

Ten

[larissavn · 10/10 · 10 December 2021]

Well long time I haven't seen such a funny and beautiful Christmas movie , I'm not looking for flaws in the details, the important thing is that it was watched by the whole family with a lot of laughter. Congratulations.

''home to nisse-land...

[ops-52535 · 10/10 · 7 December 2021]

Yet here i am'', well if you know the line of this tune that malisciously infects us scandinavians from novermber first to make us come in the mood of believing and you like it, then view this polish santa and elves headquaters and their life and duties as the magic winterpeople of the world, its worth the wile and its just a matter of fantasy, hope and trust.

Even though polish language that is just a load of ''s's'' to me they do deliver the message, a well spirited acted and a production filled with the right glow and sound of the yule season makes this a must see for everyone. A childs story that will suit every grown up too, even the grumpiest of old men like me, who hates the stress and the race of preparations, other than what mr griswald do, namely to decorate the house illuminatevly, because like my crumbling old age has taught me is that to give others light and invisible hope every morning and evening when leaving for school and work vice versa, is the best and far more important than what i get myself...

so give a darn in your x.mas duties and follow my recommend, ''david and the elves'' is a film must see.

A nice change of pace - thanks Poland

[Lewsir60 · 8/10 · 22 December 2021]

While the voice overs were of a mixed level of success (and I think it probably be watched in its original Polish with subtitles, though I haven't done that - yet), I thought it was a charming film and quite different in tone and style from typical Hollywood fare. All the characters have "attitude", and since I came into watching the film with something of my own attitude, it hit me just right. Santa and Ms. Claus are hilarious. Nice story and messages. A refreshing alternative to the other 75 new Netflix x-mas films...

A Rare Christmas Treasure

[jjdoherty-07774 · 8/10 · 12 October 2022]

According to Wikipedia, Poland has only made a total of 4 Christmas films as of the time of writing: The Nutcracker (1967), Letters to Santa (1&2), and David and the Elves. It is clear that as a country, Poland has for the most part been very private with its Christmas traditions and lore, and I would like to start by saying thank you so much for opening yourselves up so that we of the rest of the world can have such a glimpse of your Holiday Season. The acting is well done and the fact that it has an English dubbed version on Netflix is even better. I especially loved the clever little references to other Christmas films, such as The Santa Clause with the beard scene. The cinematography was excellent, on par with other traditional films such as The Christmas Chronicles, however low-budget it may have been. The story is wonderful and heartwarming and an absolute joy to watch. Thank you, Poland, for sharing such a unique and charming Christmas tale with us. I would love a sequel.

Surprisingly Good!

[ryangatto · 9/10 · 3 December 2022]

We didn't expect much from this comedy cum drama cum fantasy cum children's movie... but somehow it paid off! Perhaps our joy in it came from reveling in another culture's traditions or avoiding the sappy dialogue and voices by listening to it in its native Polish and reading the subtitles? (Aside: We did that for Megan Markle's banal narration of Disney's nature documentaries and it made them actually watchable - French audio, English subtitles.) Whoever wrote those subtitles really knew how to make them meaningful and funny - even just the "Ho ho ho" while the audio only had "Ho ho" was a cute one.

Even in English though, I imagine this still was a good movie. The casting was terrific, the pacing was perfect, the sets were cut down but well done, and there was just enough holiday cheer. No overblown FX here or celebrity casting for no reason whatsoever. The little side gags were really well timed and without any of that excess acting/dialogue/stupidity that often ruins them in these Netflix/Hallmark Christmas tropes. And, for the main plot itself, well, there's not much too it and it is definitely not what the tag says it is ("overworked elf..." ah, no), but it still works in an odd sort of way.

Overall, this was a tough review to write as it's a very tough movie to describe... but we loved it! Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!