The Real Face of Santa

Santa Claus is one of the world’s most famous characters, yet little is known about the real man behind the legend. This film reveals to the world the real face of Saint Nicholas, and pieces together the mysterious story of his life, peeling back history to tell the controversial story behind the man who inspired Santa.

The image of a rosy-cheeked, white-bearded Santa Claus in a red costume is recognised all over the world. Yet little is known about the real Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop who lived in Turkey. This documentary pieces together historical and forensic clues to reveal new details about the life of Saint Nicholas, and a team of forensic reconstruction experts use his skull to build a facial reconstruction that reveals his true likeness.

Using cutting edge CGI, magical dramatisations and interviews with world-leading academics, the film reveals the incredible story of how a humble priest from Turkey became one of the most celebrated figures on the planet, and how the struggle to control his remains still endures today.