Customer Reviews

The First Christmas

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This product is not the Rankin & Bass production of "The First Christmas (The Story of the First Christmas Snow)". It is "The First Christmas" by Billy Budd Films. The words "Billy Budd" appear clearly on the DVD case (and on Amazon's own picture of the item). Yet the product review states "Rankin & Bass". Poor work Amazon.com

If you are looking for the VHS of the same title, by Rankin/Bass featuring the voice of Angela Lansbury and Cyril Ritchard, it is also sold at Amazon.com. Do a search for ASIN: 6301760336. The story on this page is the nativity, and it comes in a better deal a 3 story DVD. The Rankin/Bass story is the story of a shepherd boy that is blinded and lost in a storm, and saved by the nuns in a remote abbey. At the time I write this, the Amazon title description above mistakenly lists Angela Lansbury as an actor.

Having said that, the story on THIS page is very well done and I highly recommend it. It is an award winning show as it received the Andrew Carnegie Medal for "Excellence in Children's Video"; and the Crown Award for "Best Children's Video". It is made in stop-motion animation, and is very beautiful. I was stunned at the level of detail they uses, and the range of expression and amotion in the characters. They really come alive. A sensitive portrayal of the nativity story, that is worth repeat viewing.
Narration of the show is by Christopher Plummer. It is the Nativity story from the Bible, about the birth of Jesus in the manger at Bethlehem. It includes the innkeeper and his wife, 3 wise men, shepherds. 23 minutes in length. There is another DVD with this story that may be a better deal for you, as it has two more Christmas stories from the same producers/animation studio.

Though "claymation", this version of the Nativity rings truer than just about any other production I've seen. Joseph cares for and worries about Mary. They are a real family and have a real baby. It brings back the feelings I used to have as a child, before the whole story became so repetative and "yada, yada, yada ish".

This retelling of the nativity is a classic! The expressions of the characters are priceless. Not just for the Christmas season but the family can enjoy it year-a-round.