The Nightmare Before Christmas - Tim Burton's Original Poem

A Beautiful Animation For The Original Idea Of The Nightmare Before Christmas!!! Narrated by Christopher Lee.

[@TheEdwardNigma]

R.I.P. Best actor of the last century! Saruman, Dracula, Count Dooku, James Bond villian! I loved all of his actings!!!

[@TheEdwardNigma]

***** Christopher Lee...

[@joinmarch76]

+Edward Nigma I see you have an eye for quality, Mr. Nigma. :) And don't forget the Jabberwocky in Alice in Wonderland.

[@karldettlinger467]

Cheers! To Christopher Lee!

[@THEJoker-lp3xv]

I watсhеd The Nightmаreее Bеforе Christmаs full moviеее hеrе twitter.com/3bef3e03894389dcc/status/822761002127101952 Тhе Nightmаааre Bеfоrе Christmаs Тim Burton s Originаl РРРоem

[@christophergraham3396]

I love Christopher Lee he has such a beautiful voice No actor shall ever come close to his Beautiful and wonderful talents his great legacy shelf forever live on the cross all of time and space beyond the grave be on the heavens he is the greatest of them all he was the only one that the Lord of the rings and the hobbit cast to know what JR tokens personally the greatest actor of all time has passed but in his passing he has left us a gift to all of us a great piece of his legacy in this life that is our gift I treasure in the end he gave everything to us and it's time we give it all back so rest Sir Christopher Lee May you find peace and the after for one day we shall all reunite but even then it shall not be the same as you are the greatest of us all none shall ever come close to your magnificence

[@KitsuneHime69]

Tim Burton wanted Jack to be a "reverse Grinch". He didn't want to destroy Christmas, he "loves it, and tries to do it himself". :D

[@theartistbeforechristmas8200]

KitsuneHime69 right

[@mattyvarnas1736]

It Feels Like Illumination's The Grinch. Film Has the Same Composer. Daniel Robert Elfman.

[@Unorthodox-]

Not correct (Issa joke)

[@KitsuneHime69]

@@Unorthodox- I was referring to what Burton said about Jack and Nightmare Before Christmas in a behind the scenes interview. I'm pretty sure he was referring to Jack being an opposite to the Grinch from the original story and the version voiced by Boris Karloff, not the one voiced by Cumberbatch.

[@Unorthodox-]

@@KitsuneHime69 I was joking

[@XFry333X]

Loved it. But to people wondering why Sally and Oogie where in the movie, those characters allowed Jack to redeem himself. If you analyze Jack's character, he's selfish. But Sally gave Jack innocence and Oogie gave Santa a reason to forgive Jack. Otherwise, the lightheartedness of the movie would be dampened and the magic gone.

[@maddimyers4139]

Yeah, but he isn't that selfish because he wanted to make others happy instead of scared. He was thinking of the children, not himself.

[@XFry333X]

I'll have to disagree. The monologue in 3:22 and 4:44 show Jack's ambitions. Jack wants to do it. He feels it's unfair that only Santa can be "Santa". So, in seeking "justice", Jack kidnapped Santa and stood in his place. I see where you're coming from though. Jack had good intentions. He's just selfish. Instead of letting Santa be Santa, he wanted to do it instead. In the beginning, he felt unfulfilled with lines like "there must be more" and out of his selfishness (focusing only on himself) Christmas almost didn't happen. Oogie, however, allowed Jack to show his good side. To show that he means well in his heart. Even though he was flawed in his actions.

[@andrewcolinwilson1]

But Jack is not selifsh. He just made a mistake. It's a good thing he learned that he should stick to his own holiday instead of taking over someone else's.

[@poweredbymoonlight9869]

Jack wasn't selfish - rather self-absorbed than selfish, and as well as he indeed had Santa kidnapped to Halloween town for the time he took santa's place, he demanded that Santa would be well cared for until he came back from giving the presents. Also honestly apologizing for rudeness to Santa before flying off. Also, he stated in the movie that he would never intend and want anyone to come to harm of his doing of being "Santa Claus" in the first place, that's not being selfish. --Plus he was generally a rather decent person towards everyone in the town but also being self-absorbed. He was having an identity crisis right then and was desperate for a change at the time he got so mesmerized by Christmas town, which lead him do all that big mistake.

[@dennistheconstitutionalpea6174]

Also they needed to beef it up to feature length.

[@2015Drama]

Well, one cannot argue that this is definitely a creative way for one to pitch a film idea.

[@jelandaroy8831]

You саn't find this moviе with bеtteer quаlitу thааaan hееre => twitter.com/0a8c0304fb580c096/status/793634137080942592 Thе Nightmare Bеfоre Christmаs Tim Burton s Оriginal Роem

[@OptimusPhillip]

I think this came before the film idea.

[@gregzotter6189]

@@OptimusPhillip It did. The original poem was written in 1982.

[@gloriannejackson9757]

It was late one fall in halloweenland

[@gloriannejackson9757]

And the air had quite a chill

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

After listening to this poem I can tell how much of the content of the movie’s songs was Danny Elfman’s original ideas. He projected a lot of himself onto Jack and made him a more complex character, driven mainly by intellectual curiosity and boredom, and able to grasp the Christmas spirit to some degree yet unable to bring the rest of the town to understand it. The disaster that he made out of Christmas was mainly the fault of the Halloween townsfolk who failed to understand Christmas even as Jack made suggestions to them on how to do better. Also he added some subtle commentary about how the “Christ” in Christmas is so wrapped up in materialism that an archeologist (Jack plays this role when studying Christmastown) can’t even find it.

[@te9591]

I could see this with Danny but I also think there is Bowie too.

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

@@te9591 Bowie had no creative role in this movie. Maybe he was an influence but he didn’t work on it himself.

[@te9591]

@Nuclear Cat Baby right, i mean more of an influence, maybe for Danny himself? You can hear that elegant but morose vocal work from a lot of Bowies previous albums. Like Jack is based on Danny, but is Danny based on Bowie?

[@eatshit2037]

I really appreciate what u said, pretty accurate!!!....but with each explanation with the story there might be more concepts?!?!...ez

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

@@te9591 Danny's new album Big Mess is heavily based on Bowie.

[@matthewquesenberry9817]

I’ll never get tired of hearing Christopher Lee’s voice

[@Danielaris5875]

Agreed

[@braydenroth2735]

I'll never get tired of hearing this poem!

[@Logan7281X]

I agree with you both.

[@arbytv5139]

I mistook his voice for David Ogden Stiers

[@alexlasker1031]

Rip the king of horror, he's having a drink and a laugh with Vincent Price and Peter Cushing now

[@mevb]

And Boris Karloff and Bella Lugosi.

[@alexlasker1031]

Mats Berglinn for sure them 2 :)

[@stealthskater5674]

It's the fond memories of loved ones that keep them alive in our heartsand that includes the ones that always gave us good entertainment like mr. Christopher Lee and mr. Vincent Price God rest their souls

[@paulthenerdycat4139]

@@mevb planning their movies.

[@jnunez7100540089]

@@mevb55yyu/y ill dddcvleeedfx

[@Sandlot1992]

R.I.P. Christopher Lee

[@sonnygullotto8315]

I don't really like poems but I LOVE this poem.

[@Tamhero04]

Same

[@kenecanicholas2707]

Me to I love it

[@eddiehanley4258]

A poem is just a story, and everybody loves stories whether they be out of a book, a poem, a play, or a movie!

[@gregzotter6189]

I loved it mainly because Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite film.

[@gailjacquelinemrsgray5823]

A great actor sadly missed i am glad he got knighted he deserved it. R I P Christopher you and Peter Cushing are the best.

[@nerdsman567]

It's amazing to know that the movie was originally going to be a children's nursery book. And I like how the movie sticks close to the original poem.

[@songbirdrebel5895]

Really?

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@songbirdrebel5895 other than a few additions like Sally and Oogie Boogie, and Santa almost being killed, yes, it’s very much like the poem.

[@songbirdrebel5895]

@@robbiewalker2831 it's just I didn't even know that The Nightmare Before Christmas was originally a poem

[@EpicMickey777]

My God. Christopher Lee? Dracula himself? He read this? Wow.

[@varric]

Saruman himself, yes

[@PanicbyExample]

Charlemagne himself, yes.

[@eddiehanley4258]

Count Dooku himself, yes

[@LukeSHales]

Scaramanga himself, yes.

[@christophergraham3396]

Yes the greatest actor of the mall has read this

[@victorhernandez8723]

A wonderful poem from Tim Burton. His style of imagination make be dark, but it's irresistible.

[@arthurmorgan7347]

Like a hot goth chick

[@40Pacino]

Christopher Lee has one of those awesome male speaking voices. He, Jeremy Irons, Alan Rickman and Liam Neeson are all great for these kinds of things

[@Arthurmorgan9987]

Master and apprentice. (Christopher and Liam)

[@SithEmperorSadeus2386]

Cough James Earl Jones (aka the legendary voice of Darth Vader himself!) 😉🔥👍🏻😎🤝🏻🎯😇💯

[@ChristianFrates1997]

Don’t forget Tony Jay.

[@jamlym4974]

Santa in the poem: "My dear Jack. I applaud your intent. I know wreaking such havoc was not what you meant. And so you are sad and feeling quite blue. But taking over Christmas was the wrong thing to do." Movie Santa: BuMpY SlEiGh rIdE, JACK?

[@jewel9117]

He did come back to bring some Christmas to Halloweentown though.

[@SammOz360]

I never thought of this before but Tim Burton is like a new Dark Dr. Seuss...That kinda makes me happy ^_^

[@UltimateShow860]

Just minus the whole "divorcing your wife for another woman"

[@christianali5431]

If Tim Burton wrote a version of Dr. Seuss book, which one should he do?If he’s going to do a Dr. Seuss movie, which book?

[@catholic-ronin3682]

@@christianali5431 the Grinch

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

Danny Elfman even more so, since he wrote the lyrics to this. In fact he was going to score a movie written by Dr. Seuss himself before he died.

[@mevb]

He saw Jack Skellington as the opposite of The Grinch, someone who loved Christmas and wanted it for his own.

[@TheShadowLight13]

Jack truly seemed to want to bring joy to others at least one time but its also so very sad that he didn't realize how much people love all hallow's eve aka halloween. i adore both holidays and cannot wait for either. dressing up on halloween is such fun but the love at christmas when my family is together is also such fun so for me i love both and i think it's sweet jack wanted to bring joy to others even though he already did, some people love to be scared and made to jump because it's fun and makes you laugh

[@allister-malister9179]

ShadowFireHime Jack is my Santa claus and Halloween is my Christmas it gives me the happiness and cheer Christmas brings for others!

[@mevb]

@@allister-malister9179 Or maybe Sandy Claws, since that's what Jack thought Santa was called.

[@valerievargas1548]

For people who say that Halloween is their least favorite holiday, I say screw them!

[@celestiadrools9551]

Halloween and Christmas are my top two favorite holidays. Halloween my favorite and Christmas is my second.

[@Crimson_Snake1]

A man eating plant makes a wonderful wreath as long as you don't get caught in it's teeth.

[@PanicbyExample]

*keep from getting?

[@Crimson_Snake1]

Renske050 No the way I said it is how it's said in Haunted Mansion Holiday, so yeah. I got it right.

[@mokana713]

Renske050 To be fair, the Imagineers had time constraints for the spiels and dialogue narration audio because the ride is in constant motion and you are only in a single scene for so long.

[@skunkman9815]

I wish I had one of those man eating wreaths for Christmas

[@theghosthost2165]

Nothing here was forgotten It all looked so pleasant a coffin Jack said makes a fine Christmas present.

[@beckyquinn]

Tim Burton is a genius!

[@Morningstar91939]

A demented genius, and I mean that in the best possible way.

[@jacquelinemilom4164]

uh actually he's not. The Grinch hated Christmas and stole the gifts to stop it. Tim Burton made it very clear this story was inspired by his two favorite holiday specials Grinch and Rudolph and that Jack was written as the OPPOSITE of The Grinch because he loved Christmas and took it over because he wanted to bring Christmas to Halloween.

[@jasonhelquist7743]

The original poem would make a fantastic Christmas special

[@paulthenerdycat4139]

That was the original plan.

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

Instead that Christmas special got based almost more on Danny Elfman's ideas.

[@kenandhoss]

RIP Christopher Lee You'll always be a good actor and a good man

[@cj_sings]

I just noticed Sally at 3:11…but I love this!!

[@stonyace6709]

They have the book was published in '93 as a movie tie in. It was Tim Burton's original '82 poem.

[@LupaDove]

That was so adorable! WHY ON EARTH AM I JUST NOW learning about this poem!?!??!!?

[@saltpepperratzz94]

Maybe you don't have the DVD

[@celestiadrools9551]

This poem gives me Dr. Seuss vibes. However, I like the movie version better because it shows Jack as naive and filled with excitement when he hears about Christmas and wants to bring joy to everyone in his town including the real world. Here it seems he's just doing it for selfish reasons like kidnapping Santa himself and being too stubborn with his intentions. I'm glad they fleshed out more of his character and Jack is the skeleton we all know and love today. Like when they changed woody’s character in Toy story, since the black Friday reel.

[@randomdev9576]

Jack sounded like a villain in the original. In the movie he sounds more friendly. And in the movie Santa was savage and not calm like he was in the original

[@brybaby89]

D'awwwwww! R.I.P. Christopher Lee

[@AnimeMomentLover]

thank you for posting this bone chilling poem i heard it from the safety of my little home this poem i never heard of for many years made me sad for not knowing it bought me to tears so i went out on a search to see if the story was true and saw you were sharing the tale, that is nice of you from characters to plot why its a match they only added the boogie man as a catch now to hear the poem and know it is real takes a goal off my list and seals the deal

[@TheNerdyGirlie]

Wow! :c I like your poem. ^-^

[@AnimeMomentLover]

The Nerdy Girlie thank you :)

[@webzter2661]

That was actually pretty good.

[@reneastle8447]

That is a wonderful way to describe wonderful poetry in your own words. You are pretty good at it.

[@tedderify]

ahhh Christopher Lee!!! RIP SIR LEE

[@evelynguildford]

why did this make me cry? so perfect...

[@brenrockefellax]

This is great... Tim Burton, the poem, the music, and Sir Christopher Lee... just.. great...

[@lesleyfrolloandhooklover6615]

I loved this poem. Christopher Lee was my father's favorite actor.

[@dmhq-administration]

Christopher Lee did a great job narrating the story. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@mariothomas494]

It was late one fall in Halloweenland, And the air had quite a chill. . Against the moon a skeleton sat, Alone upon a hill. He was tall and thin with a bat bow tie; Jack Skellington was his name. He was tired and bored in Halloweenland - Everything was always the same. "I'm sick of the scaring, the terror, the fright. I'm tired of being something that goes bump in the night. I'm bored with leering my horrible glances, And my feet hurt from dancing those skeleton dances. I don't like graveyards, and I need something new. There must be more to life than just yelling, 'Boo!'" Then out from a grave, with a curl and a twist, Came a whimpering, whining, spectral mist. It was a little ghost dog, with a faint little bark, And a jack-o'-lantern nose that glowed in the dark. It was Jack's dog, Zero, the best friend he had, But Jack hardly noticed, which made Zero sad. All that night and through the next day, Jack wandered and walked. He was filled with dismay. Then deep in the forest, just before night, Jack came upon an amazing sight. Not twenty feet from the spot where he stood Were three massive doorways carved in wood. He stood before them, completely in awe, His gaze transfixed by one special door. Entranced and excited, with a slight sense of worry, Jack opened the door to a white, windy flurry. Jack didn't know it, but he'd fallen down In the middle of a place called Christmas Town! Immersed in the light, Jack was no longer haunted. He had finally found the feeling he wanted. And so that his friends wouldn't think him a liar, He took the present filled stockings that hung by the fire. He took candy and toys that were stacked on the shelves, And a picture of Santa with all of his elves. He took lights and ornaments and the star from the tree, And from the Christmas Town sign, he took the big letter C. He picked up everything that sparkled or glowed. He even picked up a handful of snow. He grabbed it all and without being seen, He took it all back to Halloween. Back in Halloween, a group of Jack's peers Stared in amazement at his Christmas souvenirs. For this wondrous vision none were prepared. Most were excited, though a few were quite scared! For the next few days, while it lightninged and thundered, Jack sat alone and obsessively wondered. "Why is it they get to spread laughter and cheer While we stalk the graveyards, spreading panic and fear? Well, I could be Santa, and I could spread cheer! Why does he get to do it year after year?" Outraged by injustice, Jack thought and he thought. Then he got an idea. "Yes...yes...why not!" In Christmas Town, Santa was making some toys When through the din he heard a soft noise. He answered the door, and to his surprise, He saw weird little creatures in strange disguise. They were altogether ugly and rather petite. As they opened their sacks, they yelled, "Trick or treat!" Then a confused Santa was shoved into a sack And taken to Halloween to see mastermind Jack. In Halloween everyone gathered once more, For they'd never seen a Santa before And as they cautiously gazed at this strange old man, Jack related to Santa his masterful plan: "My dear Mr. Claus, I think it's a crime That you've got to be Santa all of the time! But now I will give presents, and I will spread cheer. We're changing places I'm Santa this year. It is I who will say Merry Christmas to you! So you may lie in my coffin, creak doors, and yell, 'Boo!' And please, Mr. Claus, don't think ill of my plan. For I'll do the best Santa job that I can." And though Jack and his friends thought they'd do a good job, Their idea of Christmas was still quite macabre. They were packed up and ready on Christmas Eve day When Jack hitched his reindeer to his sleek coffin sleigh. But on Christmas Eve, as they were about to begin, A Halloween fog slowly rolled in. Jack said, "We can't leave; this fog's just too thick. There will be no Christmas, and I can't be St. Nick." Then a small glowing light pierced through the fog, What could it be?...It was Zero, Jack's dog! Jack said, "Zero, with your nose so bright, Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" And to be so needed was Zero's great dream, So he joyously flew to the head of the team. And as the skeletal sleigh started its ghostly flight, Jack cackled, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" 'Twas the nightmare before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was peaceful, not even a mouse. The stockings all hung by the chimney with care, When opened that morning would cause quite/such a scare! The children, all nestled so snug in their beds, Would have nightmares of monsters and skeleton heads. The moon that hung over the new-fallen snow Cast an eerie pall over the city below, And Santa Claus's laughter now sounded like groans, And the jingling bells like chattering bones. And what to their wondering eyes should appear, But a coffin sleigh with skeleton deer. And a skeletal driver so ugly and sick, They knew in a moment, this can't be St. Nick! From house to house, with a true sense of joy, Jack happily issued each present and toy. From rooftop to rooftop he jumped and he skipped, Leaving presents that seemed to be straight from a crypt! Unaware that the world was in panic and fear, Jack merrily spread his own brand of cheer. He visited the house of Susie and Dave; They got a Gumby and Pokey From the grave. Then on to the home of Little Jane Neeman; She got a baby doll Possessed by a demon. A monstrous train with tentacle tracks, A ghoulish puppet wielding an ax, A man-eating plant Disguised as a wreath, And a vampire teddy bear With very sharp teeth. There were screams of terror, but Jack didn't hear it, He was much too involved with his own Christmas spirit! Jack finally looked down from his dark, starry frights And saw the commotion, the noise, and the light. "Why, they're celebrating, it looks like such fun! They're thanking me for the good job that I've done." But what he thought were fireworks meant as goodwill, Were bullets and missiles intended to kill. Then amidst the barrage of artillery fire, Jack urged Zero to go higher and higher. And away they all flew like the storm of a thistle, Until they were hit by a well guided missile. And as they fell on the cemetery, way out of sight, Was heard, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." Jack pulled himself up on a large stone cross, And from there he reviewed his incredible loss. "I thought I could be Santa, I had such belief..." Jack was confused and filled with great grief. Not knowing where to turn, he looked toward the sky, Then he slumped on the grave and he started to cry. And as Zero and Jack lay crumpled on the ground, They suddenly heard a familiar sound.... "My dear Jack," said Santa, "I applaud your intent. I know wreaking such havoc was not what you meant. And so you are sad, and feeling quite blue, But taking over Christmas was the wrong thing to do. I hope you realize Halloween's the right place for you. There's a lot more, Jack, that I'd like to say, But now I must hurry, for it's almost Christmas Day." Then he jumped in his sleigh, and with a wink of an eye, He said, "Merry Christmas!", and he bid them good-bye. Back home, Jack was sad, but then, like a dream, Santa brought Christmas to the land of Halloween

[@thatcomicandmangafanfromdublin]

bro just typed the whole poem

[@thomasmurrell9832]

I remember seeing this as a bonus in the limited edition DVD extras menu. I was hyped when I saw Christopher Lee was gonna read it. Boy I am satisfied now. Plus, as a poet myself, this is really well written, not just because Christopher read it.

[@izabellaSands]

R.I.P. Sir Christopher Lee you were Awesome the best Dracula

[@UltimaJC]

I loved that movie. And it made such an awesome addition to Kingdom Hearts.

[@brycenelson7274]

Christopher Lee was a good actor/narrator Rest in peace amen

[@samanthafries4862]

How have I went through my life without knowing about this poem. The movie may be a classic, but this poem is the original and what started it all.

[@Blakserenity]

So Jack's the reason why where I live gets snow and incredibly cold on Halloween!! Lawl! I love this story so much! I love that Jack is a "villain", even though that was never his intent. Oogie Boogie is also considered the villain, so this movie is one of the only movies that has two villains apart from each other.

[@brycenelson7274]

Christopher Lee you are not just good A actor but a good narrator Rest in peace amen

[@smb-c3po]

Ansem the Wise narrating this is awesome. Halloween Town wouldn't have worked out as a world in Kingdom Hearts if Oogie Boogie hadn't been in the Nightmare Before Christmas movie and then the Oogie's Revenge game and the Pumpkin King game wouldn't have been made.

[@patrickmorris71]

I'd actually like Jack's version of Christmas but that's just me.

[@cesarjimenezanimator]

About three weeks ago, I went to Disney World, and to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs). There, I found a year-round open CHRISTMAS STORE (I am not kidding)! And that's where I found the book that contained his original poem. It's truly great! I couldn't resist, so I bought the book.

[@Mevb83]

flam1ngo: Even if she's not mentioned in the poem, she's amongst the audience when Jack presents the concept of Christmas at the Halloween Town meeting.

[@sebbysuperstar8394]

Mevb83 Who Sally?

[@luisarmandoroche919]

Wonderful Mr. Burton and Mr. Lee. I came upon him into the first Lee Dracula. I loved it and it was the first time that my brother Dr. Marcel Roche told me that he knew that vampires exist and their sex is doubtful...

[@johncortes1124]

This is the story on which The Nightmare Before Christmas is based. I enjoy telling it on Christmas Eve bf bed. 'Cause I love Halloween.

[@chrisanabirdsall2399]

Now this is played all through the Christmas season, along with the movie, and all his movies and Christmas songs he sang. Goes with my 'differently' decorated tree (think Addams Family and Hammer films) and purple and orange decorations...

[@Dragonrider1227]

Ah, Christopher Lee. The only man I know who can speak in all caps.

[@Gulag00]

Meek Mill too

[@purpleshamrock17]

That was SO COOL! Awesome animation and who knew Tim Burton was such a poet? What a great narrative poem, so awesome! Makes me want to go watch the movie again!

[@sammmdias]

RIP Christopher Lee

[@Darth_Xemnas]

R.I.P. Saruman, Count Dooku, Ansem, DiZ. You were good narrating this.

[@ChristianFrates1997]

Don’t forget Dracula.

[@Chiaki_Adriana_Izumi]

A long time ago, I watched this movie every Christmas. I love it so much ^_^ I like singing together. Jack's(Danny's) singing voice is excellent, don't think so ?

[@TheGreatestCommenter]

Anim8ball's review of The Nightmare Before Christmas brought me here.I've got to say it's wonderful how TNBC started out as a poem, and became one of the best movies ever created

[@ladyearin]

And there he is! At 5:24 there is a Christopher Lee vampire. He Is deeply missed, he was the most haunting movie creature, the most magical wizard, the most incredibile human being

[@jenc1714]

owh this poEm make me feel wanted to sleep like the poem so much ! its like a father tell a story to his daughter so great :)

[@gregzotter6189]

The narration being done by Sir Christopher Lee just makes it even more enjoyable.

[@jamlym4974]

Christopher Lee had the most sinister voice. The way he says "Trick or treat!" just gives me the shivers.

[@ashexe3074]

Yay good poem I love the movie it's my favorite

[@tacoman422]

As great a villain as he was, Oogie could have been removed from the film entirely, and the overall story would have remained the same. In terms of narrative purpose, he seems to exist largely to give Jack a greater degree of redemption in the eyes of the viewers.

[@kailalily711]

And to give Santa an excuse for not doing anything

[@RockismyAir]

Still trying to understand why and how Christopher Lee has died, listening to this and crying. His voice is so magnificent and ... big.

[@Adamguy2003]

RockismyAir He was in his early 90's, and had recently been hospitalized for some kind of health problem.

[@girlishgamer1]

RockismyAir He had heart problems and he was in his 90s. He lived long enough so now he can rest peacefully.

[@G.reviewz]

Bless you christopher lee youll be dearly missed but you brought magic to a great poem for an amazing film.

[@DarthInsomnis]

The second I heard Christopher Lees voice I got a fat smile on my face

[@LewisDavies2007]

R.I.P Christopher Lee :'(

[@ericsantana1184]

And to think I loved Christopher Lee since I was a child I remember the first movie I saw him in it was either Star Wars or The Man with the Golden Gun he was good in both of them. He passed away right after I graduated high school. If he were alive today he would have made a wonderful offer and narrator for most of Tim Burton's movies

[@kingdonut6675]

I love that they were able to see Sally in the crowd and make a hole b-plot for her off of a few seconds

[@pumpkincat00]

I love poems. Listening to how the words rhyme in a way that just surprise you.

[@turdnastylm]

Ohhhhhh my god i LOVE !!!!!! this movie i watch it 11 times i love singing the songs

[@acsavera497]

rest in piece cristopher you are a leyend

[@MsAnimeraven]

that true

[@disneyknightspadilla1406]

This count dooku-la done stories like The Raven. Never thought he would do this kind of story for his narration.

[@DJefferson89]

Merry Christmas and rest well Christopher Lee, still and always a legend

[@gummymunch8858]

It is so good to hear Christopher Lee

[@jamlym4974]

Tim Burton was a fan of Christopher Lee as a child. It must have been a dream come true to work with him.

[@Jackskellington9100]

Christopher Lee! OMG he's awesome! very cool illustrations

[@alannamiranda6872]

I love this! I wrote a monolouge about the Nightmare Before Christmas

[@irondude0611]

I actually prefer this over the movie. Mainly because Christopher Lee is narrating it. The movie is amazing and everything, but it doesn't have Christopher Lee. Him and Morgan Freeman have the most amazing voices ever. I could sit here and listen to both of their voices forever.

[@lilyanimation]

Tim Burton is like a god film-making. Whatever he does, he does it brilliantly and it always manages to capture peoples imaginations. I absolutely ADORE The Nightmare Before Christmas, it is my all time favourite film! I can't wait until Alice in Wonderland, and I'm also going to see the film 9 that he's been working on when it comes out Special message for 'timburtonisahack' , go and get a life thanks for posting :)

[@allhailfrieza]

I just love hearing the music from the movie in this

[@diontaedaughtry974]

Beautiful poem and animation 👍👍

[@AnDynessisity]

That was absolutely Fan. Flippin. Tastic!

[@OptimusPhillip]

I'd almost like to see this as a fully animated TV special, like The Grinch

[@ThemeParkJunky51290]

Wow!!! I didn't know this was a poem!!! That's why I'm finishing my book of poetry. Poetry can open many doors for you!!!

[@xXSweeneyLovettXx]

Happy Birthday Tim!!! YOU RULE!!!!!

[@xRandomxElmoXD]

tim burton is like william shakspeare to me.he's brilliant.i'm in love with alll of his movies[and soon to be alice in wonderland] and out of all of his poems,ilove voodoo doll

[@LiGohan]

Very nice, just found out about this recently. Great narration too. Things would have worked out great for Jack if he had just played Santa for Halloweenland.

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

If I remember correctly, Tim actually wrote the poem around the same time he made Vincent (which was in 1982).

[@PeaceLoveAndRobots]

I love the poem as much as the movie. Quite beautiful. Ahhh the mind of Tim Burton :))

[@AWAREDIAGRAM680]

Christopher Lee was such an amazing storyteller.

[@ZEBRAPoetryFilmFestival]

Poem by Tim Burton. He was inspired by the poem "Twas the night before christmas" (1822) by Clement C. Moore. "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." :)

[@TheSmallestJo]

I loved the movie soo much! I

[@Chambers4181]

King Haggard (The Last Unicorn) Reading The Poem!

[@StarryFishy]

6:28-6:54 is what I hear at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland during Christmas!! I LUV the way they decorate the ride like Halloween Town-ish!!

[@juliaciesielczyk6360]

I love this soo much.

[@maddy5243]

This should be a kids book! I’d buy it

[@vampiressofshaddows]

3:11 ooh! I spot Mummy Boy from "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy: And Other Stories"

[@anothernerdontheinternet]

mummy boy is inspired from one of the monsters children from nightmare

[@LexiLexi612]

Christopher Lee, the vicar of the corpse bride movie, and the judge in Johnny Depp’s sleepy hollow! I love nightmare before christmas, read the poem, but never saw this video before.

[@ChristianFrates1997]

Don’t forget Wilbur Wonka.

[@tbloodawesome]

Okay, this is just pure perfection

[@Wasserkaktus]

RIP Christopher Lee :(

[@shadowspider9]

Interesting to realize that Oogie Boogie wasn't in the original plan for this movie. Makes sense when you think about it though. You could cut out all the scenes with Oogie and it wouldn't affect the plot at all. Nor does Oogie have any real motivation in the movie.

[@Johnnyboy-dp8dh]

Tim and Henry added him when they needed a villain

[@Johnnyboy-dp8dh]

He has motivation because he is just evil

[@Adamguy2003]

shadowspider9 Oogie's motivations become slightly more clear in the prequel video game, "Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King,' which shows the various characters' backstories.

[@1987AnimeBoy]

shadowspider9 I guess OOGIE's part is to explain where Santa was while Jack was out there taking over Christmas, as that wasn't addressed in the poem.

[@cannibalbunny]

It's to help show that Jack isn't selfish and to also help Santa forgive him.