'Twas the Fight Before Christmas

2021

1 hr. 31 min.

Documentary

List

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

In this true-life twist on a holiday fable, Jeremy Morris brings a whole new meaning to Christmas spirit when his extravagant seasonal display sparks a dispute with his neighbors that lands them all in court.

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Audience Member

Riveting. Like many good docs, there are twists and turns plus memorable characters. Jeremy Morris is the litigious Mr. Christmas spreading holiday cheer and mayhem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

toby h

TTFBC isn't a heartwarming Xmas film. Fuelled by America's compensation culture, and a narcissistic outlook. In a vaccine world, there are deeper messages here. Feisty festivities indeed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a well made documentary. It's a funny but also slightly terrifying story of a neighbour who insists on his individual rights over those of the community. An interesting allegory for how our societies are changing and the challenge to balance individual freedom with the wishes & needs of the community. Very timely in the context of COVID and any discussion around vaccination or masks.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Between the completly unsympathetic and unlikeable main character couple and the heavy use of stock film footage as time filler, this show is almost unwatchable. The director tried to milk the story and stretch into 90 minutes, but 30 would have been plenty. I will admit to stopping at the 1 hour mark so if after that it turned into an actual well done documentary I don't know. My advice would be keep your holiday viewing joyful and skip this mess of a "film".

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a story of a guy who was told no then his ego couldn't handle it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Becky Read

Director

Jeremy Morris

Self

Julia Nottingham

Producer

Lisa Gomer

Producer

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

At first it looks as though this is simply a documentary about an Idaho eccentric who drove his neighbours mad with a Christmas lights display that drew thousands of visitors. Then it gets darker... The ensuing distress is distressing to watch.

Dec 20, 2021

Full Review

Lucy Mangan

Guardian

It is an extraordinary portrait of a man who is convinced he cannot be wrong, who will always position himself - at least in his own mind - as the persecuted victim struggling to do right.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 26, 2021

Full Review

Claire Shaffer

New York Times

If your holiday dinner table sees some heated arguments this year, just be glad if it doesn't result in an actual melee, with armed standoffs in front of a blow-up Santa Claus.

Nov 25, 2021

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The debate over individual rights versus community standards is shown in this fascinating documentary about how one man's determination to have a public Christmas celebration in his front yard turned into an epic legal battle with a homeowner association.

Dec 25, 2022

Full Review

JK Sooja

Common Sense Media

Ultimately a profile of Jeremy Morris and his Christmas house decorating obsession, this docu is both fascinating and terrifying.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2022

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

While not all of it works - there are too many "dramatic recreations" used to illustrate what went down - like the best/worst reality television, it's the schadenfreude that really draws you in.

Dec 13, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this true-life twist on a holiday fable, Jeremy Morris brings a whole new meaning to Christmas spirit when his extravagant seasonal display sparks a dispute with his neighbors that lands them all in court.

Director: Becky Read
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 26, 2021