Radio Times: Review by:; Patrick Mulkern

The 11 Treats of Christmas:

1 Time Lord a-leaping — falling further than he’s ever fallen before. Wheeeeeh!
2 Cute evacuee kiddies missing their daddy in England, 1941.
3 A mother hen, resilient, heart-breaking — the wonderful Claire Skinner.
4 A time portal leading to a snowy forest (yes, it’s all a bit Narnia, but there’s no talking lion, witch or beaver action).
5 One gold ring — every tree-hugger will want one.
6 Spooky baubles. They grow!
7 Monsters made of wood.
8 Alexander Armstrong as a David Niven-esque fighter pilot.
9 Bill Bailey, Arabella Weir and Benidorm’s Paul Bazely as incompetent harvesters.
10 Mystery guests... Ooooh!
11th Doctor — Matt Smith at his ebullient, eccentric best, better than Santa, discovering happy tears.

An uncloying box of delights.

About this programme

13/13. The Time Lord crash-lands on Earth during the Second World War, where he tries to make sure two unfortunate evacuees and their mother have the best Christmas ever. He transports them to a magical land dominated by an enchanted forest - but that is when their troubles really begin. Claire Skinner, Bill Bailey, Arabella Weir and Alexander Armstrong join Matt Smith in this year's festive special, inspired by CS Lewis's Narnia stories.