Product Details

• Actors: Edward Asner, Rene Auberjonois, Jim Metzler, Susan Tyrrell, Karen Landry
• Directors: Alan Shapiro
• Writers: Alan Shapiro, Carol Dysinger
• Producers: Alan Shapiro, Franklin R. Levy, Jeffrey White
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001I55WY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,214 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Christmas Star" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

An escaped convict hides out in a suburban neighborhood and is befriended by two neighborhood children who think he is the real santa claus. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 09/07/2004 Starring: Edward Asner Rating: Nr Director: Alan Shapiro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Made-For-Tv Disney Movie!, February 20, 2004

By 

Sallie A. Martin (OK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Star (DVD)

This wonderful Christmas film debuted in 1986, and stars Ed Asner as a mean crook named Horace McNickle who escapes from jail- his partner in crime got off, and he wants revenge. When he escapes, he meets some kids who live in an apartment building who are faced with a grim Christmas. Their parents are struggling financially, and may be evicted if they can't make the rent. The landlord is Rene Auberjonois (Odo from Deep Space Nine), and has a son who is the "bully" played by Zachary Ansley (The Journey of Natty Gan). Asner is following the clues left to him leading to a fortune, and he enlists the children (who have no idea that he is an escape convict- they even think he's Santa!) to help him find it. There is a great scene where Ed is on a train and has a supernatural experience, very Scrooge-like, which changes his life forever.

As the movie progresses, the mean are transformed and all begin to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I remember watching this on the Wonderful World of Disney which at the time was hosted by Michael Eisner (the current President of Disney). I am delightfully surprised and glad that Disney is releasing this great film on dvd. If you want to see Ed Asner in a role like never before, get this movie in time for the next holiday season. You won't regret it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christian's Review - Exemplary!, January 15, 2007

By 

Joshua Howard "Joshua Howard" (Buckley, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Star (DVD)

This film in my opinion bears as much weight and power as Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol." It depicts the power of family and love in an amazing fashion and features a wonderfully done soundtrack... if you watch only two Christmas films next season, let those two be "A Christmas Carol" and "The Christmas Star."

The story begins when a bearded man breaks out of prison during the holidays disguised as Santa Claus. He hides from police in a utility cellar and is found by a couple of children who actually believe him to be the one and only true Santa. The love and warmth shared between the children's parents is seen as it filters down, out and through their own children-- who unknowingly help to bring the light of love and peace into the heart and soul of a most wanted man.

This film is rich in every respect... it has some moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, moments of great warmth, moments that are deeply moving, as well as others that are thought provoking as they are serious. This film is clean and good in every respect... and is probably one of Disney's greatest masterpieces. If you buy one film this year, make it this one. You won't regret it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Christmas Movie, February 18, 2007

By 

C. Murphey "Movie Collector" (Tupelo, MS. USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christmas Star (DVD)

This is a very good movie for Christmas time showing the Spirit of giving even from a criminal. Very touching movie.