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» » The Spirit of Christmas (1995)

Short summary

A heart warming tale of four children trying to decide which to cheer for: Jesus, or Santa. It almost makes one wonder what Brian Boitano would do in this situation. In the end, though, they decide that Christmas isn't a time for settling old scores, Christmas is about one thing: presents.

One of the first viral videos to be widely circulated on the Internet.

The word "fuck" is used roughly 18 times within the 5 minute short. While 18 may not sound like a lot, this is roughly an average of saying this word once every 17 seconds - even more than Казино (1995)'s average of every 25 seconds and Лицо со шрамом (1983)'s average of every 49 seconds.

The music played during the confrontation between Jesus and Santa is from Mortal Kombat 3. More specifically, the continue screen music (playing during the "verbal battle"), the Fatality music (playing when Jesus and Santa shout their initial "battle cries"), and finally the background music from the Subway level (during the actual fight).

This short was made for FOX executive Brian Graden to send out to his friends as a Christmas card. Because of some of the content he realized when it was completed that he really couldn't send it out to all his friends. The ones that did get it, passed it around and the resulting buzz led to the possibility for a television series Южный парк (1997), first at FOX and finally at Comedy Central.

The girl who's sitting on Santa's lap when Jesus came is Wendy Testaburger, Stan's girlfriend in the South Park TV show (and movie)

When Santa spins Jesus around and throws Him away, Jesus lands next to a snowman wearing a hat. This is a reference to Иисус против Фрости (1992), where Jesus fights a snowman which comes to live after the boys put a hat on it.

This was included on the 'South Park: The Hits' DVD set in October 3, 2006 as a special feature.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Dodo
    The Spirit of Christmas (a.k.a South Park The Un-Aired Plot of 1995), is actually the second instalment of South Park Christmas shorts, with 1992 The Spirit of Christmas: Mr.Frost being the pioneer. And if you are looking for an original South Park short with what every fan loves most about, you shouldn't miss this one. And here is why:

    * A strong character goal -->> Stan and Kyle seek the true meaning of Christmas during a discussion

    * One Amazing Story Catalyst -->> Jesus descends into town in the middle of Stan and Kyle's discussion

    * Not a character driven story, but story driven characters -->> One of the unique episodes that doesn't follow what Stan does, it follows instead what Jesus does

    * Memorable lines -->> (1) Jesus: Tomorrow is my birthday

    Stan: Your birthday is on Christmas? That sucks dude!

    (2) Cartman: I say we help Santa Claus.

    Kyle: Your just saying that because he brings you candy.

    Cartman: Hey I don't have to take that kind of sh*t from a Jew.

    Kyle: Your such a fat f*ck Cartman that when you walk down the street people go darn that kids a big fat f*ck.

    * Kenny is getting killed losing her nob, alongside to 6 other Southpark civilians, her screaming for death is her only line

    * And the best of all -->> Jesus combats Santa Claus hand to hand.

    If my research is not wrong, this animation short has come out just before the Chipmunks' Christmas Special that year, remember where Dave tells the chipmunks that Christmas is not just about presents when Alvin collects money to buy himself a Christmas gift. Of all the Christmas animations and cartoons, I'd vote for the South Park Christmas short. This is pure and original fun.
  • comment
    • Author: Purebinder
    This is probably the sickest, most demented thing ever put on film. Which, of course, is what makes it so brilliant. It is disgusting and banal, not to mention perverse and profane. But simply the idea of Santa and Jesus fighting it out at a Mall to decide who Christmas is really about is something worth watching. There's a reason SOUTH PARK is such a brilliant television show and it's all here.
  • comment
    • Author: Raniconne
    A very funny short that premiered the the "South Park" universe to the world. See Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Cartman, and Brian Boytano in the middle of the epic feud between Jesus and Santa.

    It is tremendously funny and true to the South Park we know and love. See it if you can!
  • comment
    • Author: Akinohn
    'The Spirit of Christmas' is the animated short film made by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that would lead up to the big comedy hit 'South Park' and the movie 'South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut'. If you like 'South Park' you just have to see this hilarious piece of comedy.

    The characters as we know them meet Jesus and later Santa Clause. The two get in a fight over who is more important for Christmas. Brian Botano shows up and learns them about the true meaning of Christmas.

    'The Spirit of Christmas' is too offensive for some people, like 'South Park' is, but if you understand it is all in good fun there is good a chance you will appreciate this very funny short.
  • comment
    • Author: Hi_Jacker
    I've been a fan of this short for years, and the biggest surprise of life came when I found out that the two guys that did Cannibal: The Musical also did this. This short is a classic little bit of comedy that proves just how far some imagination and construction paper can get a person.
  • comment
    • Author: Iseared
    This, as most of you know is the second "Spirit of Christmas" the first being re-titled to "Mr. Frosty" both contained the sharp wit, the crudeness that we all enjoy. It took me a while to find a good quality copy of this cartoon to watch, and I am glad I did. In this golden Parker-nugget the boys have an encounter with Jesus looking for Santa Claus...to kick the living sh*t out of him. When Ole' St. Nick and Jesus battle it out the boys consult one of their idols: Brian Biotana. Brian Teaches them the way and shows the boys that shouldn't think of things like "who's going to win Santa or Jesus" but to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. In the end the South Park boys find the true meaning of Christmas....PRESENTS!
  • comment
    • Author: Runeterror
    This is the funniest short film I've ever seen! It's about 4 boys who meet Jesus and he asks them where the mall is. Jesus and Santa meet face to face and fight to settle what the real meaning of christmas is. Meanwhile, the boys watch and wonder what some Brian guy would do. This film is very funny. The 1991 verson pretty much sucked. This short is very funny, and I think any one who likes South Park, should watch it.

    I give it an A+ (a perfect 10)
  • comment
    • Author: Zuser
    Rated NR(would be Rated R for Strong Language and Violence).

    Back in 1992 college students Trey Parker and Matt Stone made a short film called The Spirit Of Christmas which was the basis for South Park which would be released in 1997.However FOX executives saw the original short and asked Trey Parker and Matt Stone to make a Christmas card.Then another Spirit Of Christmas short was born.Unlike the 1992 short this one is more like the series.The boys now have names.Cartman talks and makes racist jokes.Kenny's voice is muffled and he dies.There is even a small part with Stan's girlfriend Wendy but she does not speak.This short is also called Jesus Vs Santa.In the South Park episode "A Very Crappy Christmas" the boys make the same Spirit Of Christmas short.As with the 1992 one you can find this on youtube.Spirit Of Christmas is about Jesus who confronts the four South Park boys.He is looking for Santa Claus because he wants to fight him.So they fight but the boys try to put a stop to it.Spirit Of Christmas is a hilarious South Park short and I recommend it!

    Runtime:5min

    10/10
  • comment
    • Author: Xor
    stars: Trey Parker as Stan, Cartman, Santa and Brian Boitano.

    Matt Stone as Kyle, Jesus and Kenny.

    A cheaply done 5 minute Chrismtas card....and it's pretty good. it's about Jesus coming to South Park to find Santa and they get in a fight (killing Kenny). Meanwhile the foul mouthed boys cuss and cuss and even meet Brian Boitano. i watched it on the internet and I'm not sure where to find it. It's good though and any fan of South Park should watch it. Contains language and violence.

    My rating: B. 5 mins.

    Funny!
  • comment
    • Author: Early Waffle
    This is the funniest thing I've ever seen. I got a hold of it back in 97 and I still watch it all the time.

    Jesus and Santa yelling profanities at each other while asking the kids to vote for them is more than many can stand, but it makes me roll!
  • comment
    • Author: Xava
    This is definitely a classic. 10000000000000 times better than the original one with Frosty. That one was stupid. It took me about 4 or 5 hours to download, but I have this saved on my computer as a Quicktime file. I thought Cartman had some great lines. Kyle was good too. In other words it kicked ASS!!!!
  • comment
    • Author: Hiclerlsi
    Just before Matt Stone and Trey Parker made history with South Park, Fox executive Brian Graden commissioned a Christmas card for the duo to create. The Spirit of Christmas is the very funny and aggressive look at the modern Christmas ideal through the eyes of our favorite foursome form South Park.

    What makes it funny to start off is it begins like a normal Christmas card, but then sinks right into the racist and crude humor that the series is most famous for. But the true inspiration is the religious and Christmas symbols, Jesus and Santa Claus, dueling a-la Mortal Combat about whether Christmas is for giving or remembering Jesus' birth. Then out of nowhere comes ice skater Brian Boitano to explain the meaning of Christmas. A small taste of random celebrity teasing found later in the show. Of course Jesus and Santa make up (not acknowledging they have killed Kenny and other students in the crossfire) and Stan and Kyle reveal the true meaning of Christmas, I will not dare spoil it for those who haven't seen it.

    This short is both offensive, aggressive, profane, and outrageously funny. A classic for South Park fans and non-fans alike.
  • comment
    • Author: Preve
    If you're a nice one you could say Parker and Trey Parker and Matt Stone were among the most creative 20-something-year-old's of the 90s, if not you could say their creative process pretty much rested during this and the start of the TV series South Park two years later. In any case, the two are in their early 40s now and the show is two weeks away from going into its 17th season. A truly respectable feat. While many say that it's gotten worse over the years, I think it's still one of the most entertaining animated shows on television and if there was any decline in quality, it was minor.

    In any case, this short film is pretty much your usual South Park episode packed in 25% of the running time. The boys are all there and also look pretty much exactly the same on the show. Their behavior doesn't differ much, including the obscene language. Cartman is the prick he's always been. Kenny shall die. And we also get our piece of South Park moral at the end.

    It's South Park meets Celebrity Deathmatch as old acquaintances Santa and Jesus battle each other other in their fight to show humanity (metaphorically the 4 kids) what Christmas really is about and convince them that their position is the right one. And as always with South Park, there is no black and white result, but the solution to the issue is all kinds of shades. I'm pretty sure, nobody really watches this before he actually came across the series, but those 5 minutes are surely worth a watch for fans of the show when the newest season goes into Christmas break again.
  • comment
    • Author: Goldcrusher
    Brutal demented and hilarious. This is south park before the television series was made. This is not sold in stores and cannot be found anywhere except for bootlegs on the internet.

    Very crude language take place in this short 5 minute film where santa and jesus beat each other senseless. (it would be rated NC-17)
  • comment
    • Author: Tisicai
    You can read elsewhere that this short is a must-see for anyone who has enjoyed the work of Trey Parker and Matt Stone and you will read that here too. The Spirit of Christmas is a great must-see piece of South Park and basically no matter if you end not loving it you will fell glad for seen it however I think is just impossible not to love this short. I saw it for the very first time back in 2006 when I got the South Park The Hits DVD and just a couple of days ago I saw it again so is the perfect time to do a nice comment for it.

    The now legends Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny are ready to celebrate one more time Christmas (right now I'm also ready! The Godfather set on Blu-ray!) but they will have a certain fight because of the fact that Kyle is a Jew and he is suppose not to celebrate Christmas (ALL RELIGIONS DIVIDE). Then we see Jesus in South Park, he certainly was not there to kill Kyle because he's a Jew but yes, he was there to fight…against Santa Claus! "Christmas is for celebrating my birth" says Jesus and "Christmas is for giving" says Santa. Their fight will have as consequence many children dead and yes they killed Kenny! Couple of bastards! (here we don't have the line "you bastards", by the way).

    Certain moments from this short were later part of certain episodes and of the movie. As we saw Cartman singing "Kyle's mom's a bitch" during one episode and later during the movie we see here Brian Boitano as we see him in the movie. Certainly Brian Boitano will help the boys and they will understand everything, the fight between Jesus and Santa is finally over and we have some more laughs. They boys earned something and we learned that for them was more relevant to spoke with Brian Boitano than with Jesus and Santa and also that for Cartman Christmas is just about one very important thing: ham.

    This is just South Park, this is the beginnings of a magnificent show, you really should watch this short or where else you will see Jesus saying "you f****** p**sy" to Santa Claus?
  • Uncredited cast:
    Trey Parker Trey Parker - Stan / Cartman / Santa Claus (voice) (uncredited)
    Matt Stone Matt Stone - Kyle / Kenny / Jesus (voice) (uncredited)
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