Think of Father Christmas and most people think of a plump, jolly old man with white hair and matching beard - the Dutch equivalent is much the same. At least he was, until a new film recast him as a marauding homicidal maniac with a passion for decapitating young children...try explaining that one to the kids.
 
By Andy Clark and John Tyler

In fact this is exactly the problem that lots of Dutch parents faced when film posters appeared showing the Dutch kids' favourite in a whole new, and much darker, light.
 
And as if that wasn't bad enough, the row about taking the much loved cultural icon to a new demonic level has now reached international proportions.
 
The Dutch tradition, known as Sinterklaas and celebrated on 5 December, is loosely based on the story of the real Saint Nicholas whose remains are preserved in a specially built Cathedral in the idyllic Italian seaside town of Bari.
 
Fury and disbelief in Italy
Now church officials there are demanding an explanation as to why the Dutch are treating the Saint, whose remains were rescued from the clutches of non-believers almost 1,000 years ago, in such a disrespectful manner.
 
The zombie makeover of their beloved Saint has provoked fury and disbelief. A passion for murder and a face of rotting flesh has proved a bridge too far for the churchmen.
 
Dutch officials have even been called in to mediate and try and calm priests who are concerned that the evil transformation is not only damaging the image of the holy man himself, but is also threatening tender young Dutch minds.
 
Father Gerardo Cioffari, director of the St Nicholas Research Centre in Bari, says Dutch authorities clearly did not have the interests of children in mind when they approved this movie for general release.
 
'In a country in which they defend everything in modern culture, from homosexuality to freedom of expression, I'm surprised that they didn't also pay attention to children who are not yet able to form their own judgements.'
 
Father Cioffari is just one of several priests who have spoken out against the film.
 
Stupidity
Bari's Mayor, Michele Emiliano, has also attacked  the movie as an affront to the city's patron saint. But he does not think director Dick Maas set out to damage the saint's image. "This attempt does not seem deliberate, but rather comes from the stupidity of someone who calls himself an artist."
 
The Dutch consul in Bari, Massimo Salomone, has had his hands full defending the film's release. He urges Italians to simply see the film for what it is, entertainment for adults. And anyway, he says, this isn't even the worst attack on the saint's good name.
 
'The most potent attack came from the United States when they substituted Santa Claus for Saint Nicholas. But even that has not driven out the saint.'
 
Public meeting
Residents of Bari unhappy with the latest Dutch assault on their patron were able to voice their displeasure at a public meeting on Friday evening at the Basilica of San Nicola.
 
When the controversial posters advertising the movie appeared in the Nertherlands there were numerous complaints and even attempts to have it banned. Eventually the Dutch advertising standards body ruled that the posters could stay. The film's director, Dick Maas, said he thought the discussion was ridiculous - he suggested parents should simply tell their kids that this wasn't their beloved Sinterklaas but his crazy brother. The film, Sint, has an age sixteen certificate.