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I went back and forth late last night after finishing on whether I feel the ending is GWIT or not. On the one hand, the method required is one of the first ones I and others will think up. However, one fifth of the final step is, perhaps, a bit inconsistent with the source material.

Which ked me to try other incorrect things for hours.

Astonishingly, I just got a Christmas card that included the 5 words. If only it had arrived yesterday I might have finished sooner.

Candledave,

I have it now, I think. After some time fruitlessly studying the wiki entries for the films, I found the poem, which does give an answer that works, albeit reordered. I do wish that there was more emphasis on solving clues, and less on finding obscure bits of knowledge on the web. So this one is neat and clever, but does not fill me with seasonal joy!

eenk, I hardly would call the thematic work obscure.

All done except for understsnding the wordplay for 7dn and 12ac.

Otherwise I thought a good thematic treatment!!

12A - noun defined by first four words, missing hint (first letter of) ‘something’

Thank you!

Posting my question also seemed to help me resolve 7dn so all done now.

Existential question: Are you a thematic character if you didn't like this puzzle?

I did like it, despite the time it took for the big PDM. It's such a well-crafted and honest puzzle. The problem and the denouement are perfectly thematic.

Yes, I would have liked a tougher grid, but you can't have everything!

rhsl, I like the puzzle and the cluing, although that part could have been "thematic four words (?)" difficult. What is spoiling it for me is awaiting the PDM. I know the character, his medical problem and the 4 words that I'm sure are correct are the title of a (unrelated) 1973 song. So why the preamble says 5 words is really confusing me. Finally, if you make 7 new thematic words does that mean the new entries are 4 letters longer in reality, but not so in the submission?

The setter has - very reasonably I think - been allowed a little artistic licence in the not exactly precise transcription of the quote to make the device work.

Like anything, it’s obvious when you see it, but you’re practically there.