Christmas ad campaigns have become a part of the culture in the UK. Each year certain businesses come out with ever more complex and expensive productions that people eagerly await, to talk over with their families, and be inspired by.
There seems to have been a certain backlash just lately, however. Some people think that something is not right when a company can lavish millions of dollars on a celebrity-studded ad, while regular folk are struggling to make ends meet. This simple, yet incredibly powerful short film by Phil Beastall has gone viral because of its personal message, showing that Christmas isn’t about flashy corporatism, but family and the unexpected best gifts, is something significant.
This short Christmas movie cost just £50 to make and was made as a Christmas film back in 2014. Phil decided to share it again on his Facebook page on the back of this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad, starring Elton John. “I love making films and telling stories, and I decided back in 2014 I wanted to create a short film that would resonate with people, Phil told Bored Panda. “Ultimately, I wanted people to take a moment to realize how lucky we are to be here and remind themselves that although life can be really tough, we’re not defined by our careers or materialism. Family and true love come first, and it’s important we look after each other. So although it’s not a true story, it’s one I hope hits home.”
“The reaction has blown me away. Seeing as it didn’t really go very far in 2014, I presumed the same would happen this year. But within a few days, we were into the millions of views. I have received so many positive comments from people saying how beautiful they think the film is. Its been shared over 150,000 times, and it’s that stat that means the most to me. The fact that people are taking the time not only to watch my film but share it with their friends and family. I’ve been making videos and films for over ten years, and I would love to partner with leading brands to help tell their story with emotive films.”
The story in this video is truly touching
Overwhelmed by the response Phil Beastall posted a video with a comment “Hey, just a quick message to say thanks for all the amazing comments. It feels so surreal, and like I’m living in a dream at the moment. It means a lot to me that people are taking the time to share my little film. (Maybe I should stick to sitting behind the camera)”
People were really moved by the short film
113Kviews
Share on FacebookThis was just breathtaking, waiting to see what was happening and realizing and then getting all choked up with him. Made me want to ring my Mum just to hear her voice (she is still with me thank goodness).
I attempted suicide two weeks ago. What a strong reminder that my daughters love me and I love them. I am so grateful to able to spent another Christmas with them!
This broke my heart - I've watched it four times and it gets no easier. I'd just love to hear my Dad's voice again - he died on Christmas Eve 1981 - every Christmas is hard - I've stood in shops when they've played his favourite song, I've thought 'Just phone Dad and tell him how the girls are....' MY little girls are grown ladies of 48 and 40 bow and every Christmas, when we're all together the first toast road the table is always - Grandad love you. I'm crying writing this. Maybe this advert - tons better than any others - will go on..... God bless you all xxx
Look at recordmenow.org They asked 100 kids what they wished they knew from or about their dead parent and they made a free video-recording, question-promting app It's brilliant and is used for free in many countries Its like free emotional insurance Hard ot record emotionally but well worth it Its free and private - leave it with your will or in a drawer
Love this so much! I was lucky enough to think about saving my dad's voicemails for the 2 yrs before he died (last year). Once he got to 91 yrs old I realized he probably wouldn't be around much longer, and he had just the BEST voice - soft and gentle and always full of love. And he was funny, too. So I have a huge assortment of voicemails of his that I periodically listen to and decide to save until the next time I listen again. It never gets tiresome hearing his sweet voice. I'm so lucky!
This just about broke my heart. So beautiful. It makes me think of my brother who died 10 years ago now, how i miss him so badly, but especially at Christmas time. We had traditions every morning, the same every year among other shenanigans. How I wish I had tapes like these to hear his voice once more
I shouldnt have watched that, I lost my mom in 2006, I would give anything to hear her voice again. She was killed unexpectedly and traditionally avoided all photos videos ect. so there is just nothing. I saved a voicemail from her but it was deleted before I had the courage to listen to it again, because I didnt realize there was a time limit on those things back then. I need to be more careful what I click on, I hate crying.
That's heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. Very touching indeed but I'm confused as for why it's being called an ad? Isn't an ad about a product it wants you to buy whereas that's just a short movie about love?
I hope this will prod people into recording the voices of their loved ones and storing them away somewhere whether it be on a disk or a backup drive or even a cassette.
Oh thank you so much for sharing this , I can only wish I had such a lovely gift as this. Maybe I'll make one for my son
https://www.facebook.com/philbeastallvideo/videos/500576467097377/
Load More Replies...öööö i think that that Christmas is like any other day, nothing wrong to be alone. It is enviroment and your idiots ideology who kills people in Christmas, if your attitude is this that is sad, and you tell it to lone persons, manipulate them to feel bad and sad and manipulate them to suicide. So it is Christians making murder, nothing else,you evil people you Christians! Christmas is not anything good, Jesus has done so much bad in this world that he earned he's death sentence, what was normal in Roman times. I would kill him again if he would be here!
that Christmas is like any other day, nothing wrong to be alone. It is enviroment and your idiots ideology who kills people in Christmas, if your attitude is this that is sad, and you tell it to lone persons, manipulate them to feel bad and sad and manipulate them to suicide. So it is Christians making murder, nothing else,you evil people you Christians! Christmas is not anything good, Jesus has done so much bad in this world that he earned he's death sentence, what was normal in Roman times. I would kill him again if he would be here!
This was just breathtaking, waiting to see what was happening and realizing and then getting all choked up with him. Made me want to ring my Mum just to hear her voice (she is still with me thank goodness).
I attempted suicide two weeks ago. What a strong reminder that my daughters love me and I love them. I am so grateful to able to spent another Christmas with them!
This broke my heart - I've watched it four times and it gets no easier. I'd just love to hear my Dad's voice again - he died on Christmas Eve 1981 - every Christmas is hard - I've stood in shops when they've played his favourite song, I've thought 'Just phone Dad and tell him how the girls are....' MY little girls are grown ladies of 48 and 40 bow and every Christmas, when we're all together the first toast road the table is always - Grandad love you. I'm crying writing this. Maybe this advert - tons better than any others - will go on..... God bless you all xxx
Look at recordmenow.org They asked 100 kids what they wished they knew from or about their dead parent and they made a free video-recording, question-promting app It's brilliant and is used for free in many countries Its like free emotional insurance Hard ot record emotionally but well worth it Its free and private - leave it with your will or in a drawer
Love this so much! I was lucky enough to think about saving my dad's voicemails for the 2 yrs before he died (last year). Once he got to 91 yrs old I realized he probably wouldn't be around much longer, and he had just the BEST voice - soft and gentle and always full of love. And he was funny, too. So I have a huge assortment of voicemails of his that I periodically listen to and decide to save until the next time I listen again. It never gets tiresome hearing his sweet voice. I'm so lucky!
This just about broke my heart. So beautiful. It makes me think of my brother who died 10 years ago now, how i miss him so badly, but especially at Christmas time. We had traditions every morning, the same every year among other shenanigans. How I wish I had tapes like these to hear his voice once more
I shouldnt have watched that, I lost my mom in 2006, I would give anything to hear her voice again. She was killed unexpectedly and traditionally avoided all photos videos ect. so there is just nothing. I saved a voicemail from her but it was deleted before I had the courage to listen to it again, because I didnt realize there was a time limit on those things back then. I need to be more careful what I click on, I hate crying.
That's heart breaking and heart warming at the same time. Very touching indeed but I'm confused as for why it's being called an ad? Isn't an ad about a product it wants you to buy whereas that's just a short movie about love?
I hope this will prod people into recording the voices of their loved ones and storing them away somewhere whether it be on a disk or a backup drive or even a cassette.
Oh thank you so much for sharing this , I can only wish I had such a lovely gift as this. Maybe I'll make one for my son
https://www.facebook.com/philbeastallvideo/videos/500576467097377/
Load More Replies...öööö i think that that Christmas is like any other day, nothing wrong to be alone. It is enviroment and your idiots ideology who kills people in Christmas, if your attitude is this that is sad, and you tell it to lone persons, manipulate them to feel bad and sad and manipulate them to suicide. So it is Christians making murder, nothing else,you evil people you Christians! Christmas is not anything good, Jesus has done so much bad in this world that he earned he's death sentence, what was normal in Roman times. I would kill him again if he would be here!
that Christmas is like any other day, nothing wrong to be alone. It is enviroment and your idiots ideology who kills people in Christmas, if your attitude is this that is sad, and you tell it to lone persons, manipulate them to feel bad and sad and manipulate them to suicide. So it is Christians making murder, nothing else,you evil people you Christians! Christmas is not anything good, Jesus has done so much bad in this world that he earned he's death sentence, what was normal in Roman times. I would kill him again if he would be here!
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