Welcome aboard the Polar Express! Whether you're a fan of the movie or not, it's hard to deny that this beloved holiday classic is full of interesting facts. From its unique production techniques to its star-studded cast, here are the top 10 most interesting facts about The Polar Express.
- The Polar Express was the first feature-length film to be entirely created using motion capture technology. This revolutionary technique allowed the animators to create a highly realistic 3D world without having to draw each frame. The result was a unique and stunning visual style, unlike anything seen before.
- Hero-boy is played by 3 different actors. Since the character is a kid, Tom Hanks couldn’t do all the motion capture work by himself. Josh Hutcherson, who was a child at the time, did the motion capture work that Tom Hanks couldn’t. The character's child-voice is that of Daryl Sabara who had acted in Spy Kids a few years earlier.
- Tom Hanks, the star of The Polar Express, voiced not one but six different characters in the movie. He played the role of the Conductor, the Hobo, Santa Claus, the Scrooge-like businessman, the Narrator, and the nameless boy protagonist, who is known only as ‘Hero Boy’.
- The Polar Express was based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name. The author and illustrator of the book, Chris Van Allsburg, also served as an executive producer on the movie.
- The Polar Express was one of the first movies to be released with a 6.1 surround sound mix. This gave audiences an immersive experience as if they were actually on the Polar Express train itself.
- The Polar Express was the first animated movie to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song, “Believe”, was written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri and performed by Josh Groban.
- The Polar Express was the first movie to be released in IMAX 3D. This allowed viewers to experience the movie in a whole new way, with the 3D effects adding a new level of depth to the onscreen action.
- The Polar Express was the first feature-length animated movie to be released in the IMAX format. The IMAX format provides an immersive cinematic experience with larger-than-life images and crystal-clear sound.
- The Polar Express was the first movie to be released with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. This gave viewers a more immersive experience with the sound coming from all directions.
- You can ride the Polar Express at tourist attractions around the world now! You’ll find Polar Express-themed rides and trains in the Grand Canyon, Canada Badlands and even right here in the UK
So there you have it – the top 10 most interesting facts about The Polar Express. Whether you're a fan of the movie or not, you have to admit that it was a groundbreaking achievement in animation and film technology. So the next time you watch The Polar Express, remember all of these amazing facts and enjoy the ride!
Return to all posts