106 Fun Facts About The Polar Express

Who directed the animated film *The Polar Express*?

Robert Zemeckis directed The Polar Express (2004) and co-wrote its screenplay with William Broyles Jr.; he reused the performance-capture approach on Beowulf (2007).

Which actor plays the Conductor, Santa Claus and several other roles in the film?

Tom Hanks performed the Conductor, Santa Claus, the Hobo, Hero Boy's father and the adult Hero Boy; he had read the book to his own children before pursuing the film.

What animation technique, which records live actors' movements, was used to create the film's people?

Motion capture recorded the actors' movements with body-mounted markers; Tom Hanks performed five characters this way, and the film was the first feature shot entirely with the technique.

Who wrote and illustrated the original children's book *The Polar Express*?

Chris Van Allsburg wrote and illustrated The Polar Express, drawing on his Grand Rapids, Michigan childhood; the book won the 1986 Caldecott Medal.

In what year was the original *The Polar Express* book first published?

Houghton Mifflin published The Polar Express in 1985; the picture book won the Caldecott Medal the following year, 1986.

What is the ultimate destination of the magical train journey?

The Polar Express is a magical train specifically bound for the North Pole, where Santa Claus resides.

Who was originally hired to direct the film before being replaced?

Rob Reiner was originally attached to direct, with Tom Hanks already set to star; after the project stalled, Robert Zemeckis took over.

Who died in 2003 mid-recording as the engineer and fireman, making this his final film?

Michael Jeter voiced the engineer Smokey and fireman Steamer but died in March 2003 during production; André Sogliuzzo completed the characters' voices and the film is dedicated to Jeter.

What is the 'first gift of Christmas' that the boy is chosen to receive?

The first gift of Christmas is a silver sleigh bell from Santa's reindeer harness; Hero Boy asks for it after it lands at his feet, then loses it through his torn pocket.

Which song do the Conductor and waiters perform for the children aboard the train?

The memorable 'Hot Chocolate' song and dance number occurs when the Conductor and waiters serve the warm drink to the children on the train.

Who provided the voice of Hero Girl?

Nona Gaye voiced and performed Hero Girl; Leslie Zemeckis, the director's wife, played Hero Boy's sister and mother instead.

What sends the train speeding down a steep hill onto a frozen lake?

A throttle malfunction sends the train racing down a steep grade onto the frozen lake: the throttle's cotter pin snaps, so the engineers cannot slow the engine until it is replaced.

What is the name of the shy and lonely boy who is hesitant to board the train?

Billy, also known as the Lonely Boy, is a timid character who initially hesitates to join the other children on the Polar Express.

What is a central theme explored throughout the story of *The Polar Express*?

The importance of belief is the core theme: the narrator's bell rings only for those who truly believe, and the Conductor punches 'BELIEVE' into Hero Boy's ticket.

In which year did The Polar Express reach cinemas?

The Polar Express opened in US cinemas on November 10, 2004, released simultaneously in conventional theaters and in IMAX 3D.

What is the approximate running time of *The Polar Express* film?

The Polar Express has a running time of 100 minutes, or 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Which mysterious character resides on the roof of the Polar Express train?

The Hobo is a mysterious, ghostly character who rides on the roof of the train, appearing and disappearing throughout the journey.

What type of large animal briefly obstructs the train's path on the tracks?

During the journey, the Polar Express is temporarily delayed by a large herd of caribou crossing the tracks.

Which major film studio distributed *The Polar Express*?

Warner Bros. Pictures distributed The Polar Express, which opened in US cinemas on November 10, 2004; the studio also provided funding and soundstage space for the production.

What did The Polar Express cost, a record budget for an animated film at the time?

It grossed $286 million on first release against that record $165–170 million budget.

In The Polar Express, what is the inquisitive, talkative boy who constantly shares facts on the train called?

Know-It-All, the bespectacled boy who lectures the other passengers, is credited by that name and was performed by Eddie Deezen.

The Hero Boy's hometown at the start of the story is implied to be which Michigan city?

The book is set partially in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the author's home town, and the movie maintains this implied setting.

Who composed the musical score for *The Polar Express* film?

Alan Silvestri, Robert Zemeckis's composer on nearly every film for decades, wrote the score and, with lyricist Glen Ballard, the film's original songs.

What prestigious award did the book's author-illustrator win for its pictures?

Chris Van Allsburg won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for The Polar Express's illustrations, his second after Jumanji in 1982.

What is Hero Boy wearing over his pajamas when he boards the train?

Hero Boy boards in a bathrobe and slippers over his pajamas; the torn pocket of that robe is how he later loses his first gift.

What is the name of Hero Boy's younger sister in the film?

Hero Boy has a younger sister named Sarah, who is also seen at the beginning and end of the film.

Which investor's company, Shangri-La Entertainment, financed half of the film's budget?

Steve Bing's Shangri-La Entertainment co-financed roughly half of the $165 million-plus budget with Warner Bros.; Bing went on to back Zemeckis's Beowulf (2007).

What happens when the boy's parents try to ring his first gift of Christmas?

They cannot hear it: his parents shake the bell, hear nothing and say it must be broken; it rings only for those who truly believe.

What role did the book's author take on the film adaptation?

Chris Van Allsburg is credited as an executive producer alongside Tom Hanks and Jack Rapke; the screenplay itself was written by Robert Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr.

What are the names of the engineer and fireman who operate the train?

They were the only two characters not animated from live performers, partly because of their exaggerated caricature designs.

The film opened in second place at the US box office behind which movie?

Its opening weekend take was $23.5M, but strong holiday legs carried it to a far larger total.

Which Chicago neighborhood inspired the buildings at the film's North Pole?

Pullman, the Chicago South Side district built around the Pullman Palace Car Company's works, inspired the North Pole's brick factory architecture.

What is the name of the main original song from the film that received an Academy Award nomination?

'Believe', written by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and sung by Josh Groban, lost the Oscar to 'Al Otro Lado del Río' but won a Grammy in 2006.

Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's, whose childhood visits inspired the author, were what kind of business?

Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's were rival downtown Grand Rapids department stores; the Herpolsheimer's storefront and its Christmas window appear in the film.

Early criticism of the film's 'uncanny valley' effect focused on which aspect?

Critics felt the animation faltered at mimicking realistic facial expressions and emotions, which many found unsettling.

Which company handled the visual effects and digital character animation for the film?

Sony Pictures Imageworks animated the performance-capture characters; the studio had done effects for Zemeckis's Contact and Cast Away and returned for Beowulf.

What does Hero Boy pull to stop the train so the lonely boy can board?

Hero Boy pulls the emergency brake, stopping the train so Billy can climb aboard; the Conductor scolds him before letting the lonely boy on.

Which artist performed the film's Oscar-nominated song and reprised it at the ceremony?

Josh Groban recorded the film's end-credits song and performed it as a duet with Beyoncé at the 77th Academy Awards in February 2005.

Who provided the child's speaking voice for Hero Boy in the film?

Daryl Sabara, known from the Spy Kids franchise, provided the speaking voice for the young Hero Boy.

What happens to Hero Girl's train ticket that causes Hero Boy to chase after it?

The ticket blows away in the wind: Hero Boy picks it up to return it, and it is sucked out of the vestibule into the night before finding its own way back to the train.

The book was its author's second full-color picture book; which was his first?

The Wreck of the Zephyr (1983) was Chris Van Allsburg's first full-color picture book; Gasazi, Jumanji and Ben's Dream before it were black and white.

Which real steam locomotive was the model for the Polar Express engine?

Pere Marquette 1225, a 1941 steam locomotive preserved at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan, was the model, and its whistle and sounds were recorded for the film.

In what year did Tom Hanks option The Polar Express after reading it to his children?

Tom Hanks optioned the book in 1999, hoping to play the Conductor and Santa Claus himself; the film finally reached cinemas in November 2004.

What is the name of Tom Hanks's production company that co-produced the film?

Playtone, the company Tom Hanks founded with Gary Goetzman in 1998, co-produced the film; Goetzman is one of its credited producers.

When was The Polar Express originally scheduled for release before delays?

December 2001 was the original target release; repeated delays and a change of director pushed the film to November 2004.

Which character narrates the film as an adult?

Hero Boy narrates as an adult, recalling the Christmas Eve the train came, and closes by saying the bell rings for all who truly believe.

Which studio's expired contract with ImageMovers led Zemeckis to sign with Warner Bros.?

ImageMovers, Zemeckis's company founded in 1997, had a production deal with DreamWorks Pictures that lapsed; its new Warner Bros. arrangement brought funding, distribution and soundstage space.

What word does the Conductor punch into Hero Girl's ticket?

Hero Girl's ticket is punched with the letters L-E and completed as LEAD at journey's end; each child's ticket carries a different word.

What is the name of the steep grade the train descends before the frozen lake?

Glacier Gulch, which Know-It-All brags is the steepest downhill grade in the world, drops the runaway train onto the frozen lake.

How many Academy Award nominations did The Polar Express receive?

Three: Best Original Song, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing at the 77th Academy Awards; it won none of them.

Which instrument does the Hobo play while singing 'Good King Wenceslas'?

The Hobo cranks a hurdy-gurdy beside his campfire as he sings 'Good King Wenceslas' when Hero Boy first finds him.

What carries Santa's giant sack of toys into the North Pole's central square?

A zeppelin flown by elves lifts the enormous sack of toys over the square and lowers it onto Santa's sleigh before the bell ceremony.

Which company developed the 2004 Polar Express video game?

Blue Tongue Entertainment, THQ's Melbourne studio later known for de Blob, developed the 2004 game, which THQ published on consoles and PC.

Which model railroad maker produces licensed Polar Express sets in O scale on 3-rail track?

Lionel introduced its licensed O-gauge Polar Express set in 2004; the locomotive copies the film's engine with its longer cowcatcher and recessed headlight.

Which company licenses the real-world Polar Express train rides in the US, Canada and UK?

Rail Events Inc., based in Durango, Colorado, holds the licence for The Polar Express Train Ride; host railways include the Grand Canyon Railway and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Under what name does the film engine's real-life model pull its own Christmas train?

The Steam Railroading Institute runs the locomotive on its North Pole Express excursions out of Owosso, Michigan, each Christmas season.

Which UK tramway has hosted a licensed 'Polar Express Tram Ride'?

Seaton Tramway in Devon has run the licensed tram ride at Christmas; the Mid-Norfolk Railway has also hosted the train version.

Which theme park debuted the Polar Express Experience motion-simulator ride in November 2007?

SeaWorld Orlando opened The Polar Express Experience in November 2007 as a seasonal Christmas overlay of its Wild Arctic motion-simulator ride.

Which company distributes the Polar Express 4D film shown at parks like Dollywood?

SimEx-Iwerks distributes The Polar Express 4-D Experience, a condensed cut of the film with motion seats and in-theatre effects shown at Dollywood and the Cincinnati Zoo.

How much did The Polar Express earn in its opening weekend?

The Polar Express took $23.3 million over its first weekend, November 12–14, 2004, after a Wednesday opening; strong holiday legs carried it far beyond that start.

Where on the train does Billy sit by himself after boarding?

Billy sits alone in the last car, the observation car, until Hero Girl and Hero Boy bring him a cup of the cocoa being served.

Which critic gave the film four stars, praising its 'deeper, shivery tone'?

Roger Ebert awarded four stars, praising the film's 'deeper, shivery tone' and likening its self-contained world to The Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka.

Which critic gave the film one star and called it 'a failed and lifeless experiment'?

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone's film critic from 1989 to 2020, wrote the one-star 'failed and lifeless experiment' review.

The Conductor says 'the thing about trains' is that what matters is what?

The Conductor tells Hero Boy that with trains 'it doesn't matter where they're going; what matters is deciding to get on', the film's nudge toward belief.

What does the Hobo offer Hero Boy from his tin cup?

The Hobo offers Hero Boy a cup of coffee, asking 'Want some Joe?', and the boy finds the bitter drink hard to swallow.

In the book, what do the children eat aboard the train?

The book's narrator recalls eating candies with nougat centers 'as white as snow' and drinking cocoa as thick as melted chocolate bars.

Which 2007 online poll listed the book among 'Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children'?

The National Education Association's 2007 online poll placed The Polar Express among its 'Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children'; School Library Journal ranked it in its Top 100 Picture Books in 2012.

Which child is found driving the locomotive when Hero Boy reaches the cab?

Hero Girl is at the throttle when Hero Boy climbs into the cab; the Conductor had put her in charge while Smokey and Steamer were busy out on the front of the engine.

Which institution owned locomotive 1225 before the Steam Railroading Institute?

Michigan State University received the locomotive as a donation in 1957 and displayed it on campus, where the MSU Railroad Club began restoring it in 1971.

Which company built Pere Marquette 1225 in 1941?

Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio, built Pere Marquette 1225 in 1941; the works ended steam production in 1949 with its last engine for the Nickel Plate Road.

What wheel arrangement and type is Pere Marquette 1225?

Pere Marquette 1225 is a 2-8-4 Berkshire, a type named for the Massachusetts Berkshire Hills where the first 2-8-4 was tested in 1925; only it and sister 1223 survive from the railway's fleet.

Which railway absorbed the Pere Marquette in 1947?

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway absorbed the Pere Marquette in June 1947; 1225 went on working C&O's Michigan lines until it was retired in 1951.

In what year did 1225 make its first excursion run after the student restoration?

1225 first moved under steam again in 1985 and made its first excursion run in 1988, seventeen years after student volunteers began restoring it in 1971.

Which two films had Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis made together before The Polar Express?

Forrest Gump and Cast Away were the pair's earlier collaborations, in 1994 and 2000; Forrest Gump won Hanks his second Best Actor Oscar.

Near which MSU landmark was 1225 displayed from 1957?

The locomotive sat on static display near Spartan Stadium for more than a decade from 1957, close enough for football-weekend visits.

On which night does the story of The Polar Express take place?

The train arrives on Christmas Eve, the book's opening line placing the narrator in bed 'on Christmas Eve, many years ago', and returns him home before morning.

Where is sister locomotive 1223 on static display?

Pere Marquette 1223, the only other surviving engine of its class, stands on static display on the waterfront at Grand Haven, Michigan.

Over which railroad's line did 1225 run its Owosso excursions in 2025?

The Steam Railroading Institute runs 1225 between Owosso and Ashley over that line; the locomotive is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Which actor performed the motion capture for Billy?

Peter Scolari performed Billy's motion capture, while child actor Jimmy Bennett supplied the character's voice; Scolari later won an Emmy for HBO's Girls.

Which rock singer performed the elf who sings 'Rockin' on Top of the World'?

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler performed the elf frontman belting 'Rockin' on Top of the World' at the North Pole celebration.

What rating did the MPAA give The Polar Express on its 2004 release?

The Polar Express carries a G rating from the MPAA, general audiences, one of the few Zemeckis features to do so.

Van Allsburg earned a master's degree in which discipline at RISD?

Chris Van Allsburg took his master's degree in sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design, after studying sculpture at the University of Michigan.

Which Van Allsburg book was filmed in 2005 with Jon Favreau directing?

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), directed by Jon Favreau, adapted Van Allsburg's 2002 picture book Zathura.

Which Van Allsburg book was his first, contracted in 1979 after his wife showed sketches to an editor?

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi (1979) was Van Allsburg's first picture book; it won a 1980 Caldecott Honor and introduced his recurring bull terrier, Fritz.

Van Allsburg's Zathura is a standalone sequel to which of his books?

Zathura (2002) follows Jumanji: brothers Danny and Walter Budwing, seen picking up the board game at the end of Jumanji, are hurled into space.

What does the Hobo use to whisk Hero Boy toward the locomotive?

The Hobo produces a pair of skis and carries Hero Boy along the train at speed toward the tender.

Which sitcom character did Michael Jeter play from 1990 to 1994?

Michael Jeter played Herman Stiles, the nervous assistant coach on Evening Shade, winning a 1992 Emmy; he had won a Tony for Grand Hotel in 1990.

Hero Girl's voice actress is the daughter of which Motown legend?

Nona Gaye is the daughter of Marvin Gaye; she played Zee in the two Matrix sequels in 2003, the year before The Polar Express.

Eddie Deezen, who voiced Know-It-All, is known for voicing which Dexter's Laboratory character?

He played nerdy Eugene in Grease and appeared in WarGames.

Peter Scolari, who appears in the film, co-starred with Tom Hanks in which 1980s sitcom?

Peter Scolari and Tom Hanks starred together in Bosom Buddies (1980–82) as two ad men living in drag in a women's hotel; Scolari later won an Emmy for HBO's Girls.

Which Spy Kids character was played by the actor who supplied Hero Boy's speaking voice?

Daryl Sabara played Juni Cortez, the younger Cortez sibling, across the Spy Kids films from 2001; he later married singer Meghan Trainor.

Alan Silvestri first worked with Robert Zemeckis on which 1984 film?

Romancing the Stone (1984) began the Silvestri–Zemeckis partnership, which continued through Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Beowulf.

Which two motion-capture films did ImageMovers Digital make with Disney between 2007 and 2011?

A Christmas Carol and Mars Needs Moms were ImageMovers Digital's two releases, in 2009 and 2011; Disney announced the studio's closure in 2010, before the second film's box-office failure.

Which magazine did Polar Express co-writer William Broyles Jr. co-found?

William Broyles Jr. was the founding editor of Texas Monthly in 1973; he later co-created China Beach and shared an Oscar nomination for Apollo 13's screenplay.

Who tells Hero Boy that the most real things are 'the things we can't see'?

The Conductor says it as Hero Boy leaves the train: 'Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.'

Which two children sing 'When Christmas Comes to Town' together on the train?

Hero Girl and Billy sing 'When Christmas Comes to Town' as a duet while Hero Boy listens from the doorway, before the trio are reunited.

The Grand Canyon Railway's Polar Express ride departs from which Arizona town?

The Grand Canyon Railway runs from its depot in Williams, Arizona, and its licensed Polar Express trains leave from there each November and December.

Which actor narrates the audio edition of Chris Van Allsburg's picture book?

Liam Neeson reads the Houghton Mifflin audio edition of The Polar Express, with music by guitarist William Ackerman.

What title does the Hobo claim for himself when Hero Boy meets him?

The Hobo grandly introduces himself as the King of the North Pole, warming his hands at a campfire and insisting he owns the train.

Which 2006 motion-capture family horror comedy did Zemeckis executive-produce?

Monster House (2006), executive-produced by Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, used the performance-capture approach of The Polar Express and was nominated for the animated feature Oscar.

Which North Carolina town is home base for the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, a Polar Express host?

Bryson City is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad's home depot; its trains run over the old Southern Railway Murphy Branch toward the Nantahala Gorge.

For which category did 'Believe' win its songwriters a Grammy in February 2006?

'Believe' won Best Song Written for Visual Media, then titled Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, at the February 2006 Grammys for Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri.

By what time must the Polar Express reach the North Pole?

The Conductor keeps checking his watch because the train must arrive by midnight, when Santa's sleigh departs with the first gift of Christmas.

In the book, what sound does the boy hear instead of the sleigh bells he expected?

Lying awake for sleigh bells, the narrator instead hears a train's hissing steam and squeaking metal, and looks out to see the Polar Express outside his house.

On what date was The Polar Express first released on DVD and VHS?

The DVD and VHS arrived on November 22, 2005, a year after the theatrical run, in widescreen and full-screen editions; a Blu-ray followed in 2007.

In the book, where does the boy find the sleigh bell on Christmas morning?

Sarah finds a small box behind the tree; inside is the bell, with a note from Santa telling him to fix the hole in his pocket.