Rudi Rotnase ("Rudi Rednose" in English) is a German animated film released in 2002 by the now defunct Digital World. Adapting the tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the film centres on the titular Rudi, but adds its own cast of "other reindeer", and includes a subplot about the poor Armin family, who cannot afford a proper Christmas.
Although initially unnoticed when it was first released, the film gained notoriety in the 2010s for its style of animation and unusual pacing, not dissimilar to the works created by fellow German animation studio Dingo Pictures.
Like a few of Dingo's films, Rudi Rotnase received English, French and Dutch dubs by the company Art Media sometime in the mid-2000s.
The German
and English dubs can both be viewed on YouTube.
Featured tropes include:
- All of the Other Reindeer: A given, considering the source material. However, only two characters (Rudi's older brother Leonard and the factory supervisor elf) are ever shown antagonising him - both using "Rotnase" (Rednose) as a derogatory nickname for Rudi.
- Anthropomorphic Zig-Zag: Rudi is quadrupedal throughout most of the film, but becomes bipedal whenever he's shown making toys in the factory.
- Big Brother Bully: Leonard, Rudi's older brother, who stands on his hoof and tells him to "make place" when he complains. Once Rudi saves the day, however, his opinion changes.
- By the Lights of Their Eyes: At one point, Rudi winds up in a pitch-black forest, where all you can see are his eyes (and mouth). Once the clouds covering the moon pass, however, the scene becomes bright again.
- Dreaming of a White Christmas: Almost every outdoor scene features snow, with the exception of Easter Island at the beginning. Justified in that the majority of the movie takes place at the North Pole.
- It's All About Me: Leonard displays traits of this, playing himself up as the "biggest and strongest of them all".
- Limited Animation: The movie (alongside Digital World's other works) is made with very limited early flash animation.
- The Lost Lenore: Herr Armin's wife is said to have passed on before the story begins. At the end, he reveals to his children that he spent his last few bits of money on a portrait depicting her as an angel.
- Meaningful Name: "Armin", considering "arm" is German for "poor".
- Pauper Patches: Present on the clothes of the Armin family.
- Santa's Existence Clause: Brought up near the beginning, where Anton "disses" his sister and brother for still believing in Santa. Since the audience is made aware of Santa's existence before this scene, this plot point is quietly dropped.
- Saving Christmas: Santa forgets to attach his "lantern" to his sleigh, which spurs Rudi into making a perilous journey through a blizzard to reach him and use his nose to light the way.
- Travel Montage: After Rudi pulls the sleigh team out of the blizzard, they are shown hovering over scenes of various landmarks, representing them going around the world.
- True Meaning of Christmas: Santa explains the concept of this to Rudi after they give the Armin family their Christmas, emphasising the role of family.
