Product Details

• Actors: Randy Travis, Jay Johnson, Jerry Van Dyke, Jim Varney, Rue McClanahan
• Directors: Roy Wilson
• Writers: Barbara Dunn-Leonard, Bruce Faulk, Dan Henderson, Gary Edwards, George Larrimore
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony
• VHS Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0967418518
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,502 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The film takes place in a rural farming community somewhere in Tennessee where a young calf named Annabelle is born on Christmas Eve. Upon meeting Santa Claus, she becomes fascinated with reindeer and their ability to fly, and wishes to fly herself. At the same time, having been gifted with the temporary ability to speak, she befriends her farmer's grandson Billy, who suffers from muteness due to smoke inhalation after a fire in the barn. Throughout the course of the year, they learn the true value of friendship and learn that with faith and a willingness to overcome great odds, anybody can achieve their dreams.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the few Modern Xmas Classics, November 12, 2002

By 

taleeya "taleeya" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Annabelle's Wish (DVD)

Well, alot of the newer Christmas specials don't have the same kind of magic that the older classics had. This is a wonderful exception. Its charming and sentimental, and full of magic. With a down home "country" feel, this special shows that christmas is about love and giving. When Annabelle is born on Christmas Eve, Santa comes and gives all the barn animals a special gift, they can talk on Christmas Day! Annabelle decides that if she is really good all year long, maybe Santa will grant her a special wish so she can fly with his reindeer! But when Billy needs her, does that mean she won't get her chance? There's a star-studded cast of voice, and the DVD contains lots of great extras (including a deleted song, a funny one which the kids might enjoy!) This movie is a total tear-jerker and great for adults and children too. Definately make this a special you watch!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Believe in Yourself, October 20, 2004

By 

Bonnie Sayers "autismfamily" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Annabelle's Wish [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The story starts off on Christmas Eve where the legend began. Santa Claus gives the animals of the barn voices for twenty four hours. Annabelle arrives this first night as shown on the video. Santa leaves a note for Billy that the calf is his Christmas present.

Billy has been unable to talk since the fire in the barn that left him in the care of his grandfather. His Aunt is the sister to his father, from what I can tell. It is love at first sight for Annabelle and Billy and off they go to play in the snow. Agnes brings Charles, the grandfather imported bon bon's from Paris for his present. Agnes and Charles go into the barn to see what Billy got from Santa Claus.

The funniest part of the movie is when Agnes steps in "kaka" and the way she says it is hysterical. They proceed back to the house and Billy is left alone in the barn. Well this is the first time Billy has wanted to stay in the barn since the tragic fire. His Aunt Agnes prefers to call him William and the clothes she wears are bright orange and go with her hair.

Annabelle makes the mistake of talking in front of Billy and the animals decide it is okay for only Billy to know about the secret that comes once a year from Santa Claus. Annabelle decides she wants to be a reindeer and be with Santa Claus. She tells Billy her dream.

There is a song by Randy Travis about changing seasons and making friends. Tears come to my eyes everytime I see the scenes with the song that show Billy, Annabelle and Emily, while Randy sings about seasons come and seasons go.

There are many lessons in this fine movie. The two neighbor boys apologize for making up stories. Gus meets Agnes and they seem made for each other. Grandpa gets his music box back, the animals get their yearly treat.

The animation and music are such added bonuses as well as the voices that I do not get to hear on sitcoms anymore. The most important thing to remember is to keep this movie in an active collection and not to be utilized only for the holiday season.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Story, January 6, 2003

By 

RB (Santee, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Annabelle's Wish (DVD)

Annabelle's Wish is one of the best non-commerical and non-religious Christmas stories ever told. The ending can bring a tear to most eyes. Although it is a straight-to-video cartoon, the cast is full of big names like Jerry Van Dyke, the late Jim Varney, Frank Welker, Cloris Leachman, and Randy Travis (who also sings a few songs).

Annabelle is a calf born on Grandpa Baker's farm on Christmas Eve who wants to become one of Santa's reindeer. Struggling for money, Grandpa gives Annabelle as a Christmas gift to Billy, his orphaned grandson who lives with him. We learn that Santa Claus gives the animals the gift of speech each Christmas Day and that Billy has been mute since being caught in a barn fire when he was younger.

During the coming year Grandpa Baker tries to keep guardianship of Billy from a rich and tenacious Aunt Agnes while Billy is tormented by the bullying Holder Boys. Luckily Billy has his two best friends Annabelle and neighbor Emily to help him though it all.

Does Billy stay with his poor Grandpa on the farm or go to the city with his rich aunt? Will he ever talk again? Does Annabelle ever pull Santa's sleigh? Will the Holder Boys ever get what's coming to them?

I won't tell you, you have to watch the movie. It's worth it!