Customer Reviews

John Denver and the Muppets - Rocky Mountain Holiday [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although the DVD hasn't been released yet, I have a copy of this wonderful tv special on video, so let me be the first to write a review.
This special is exactly what it promises to be: John Denver taking the entire muppet gang on a camping trip. You see them hiking, fishing and building a camp. John also takes Rowlf flying and tries to help him get rid of the hick-ups by doing acrobatic stunts. At the end of the day everyone gathers round the campfire to tell stories and sing songs.
At one point, Kermit's nephew Robin is feeling sad about being so small and then John reminds him how precious it is to be young and see the world with innocent eyes by singing "Catch Another Butterfly" to him. At the end of the day he sings Robin to sleep with the sweet lullaby "No One Like You".
Rocky Mountain Holiday features some well known traditional songs, as well as some Denver standards like "Poems, Prayers and Promises" and "Grandma's Feather Bed". There is also one song that John wrote especially for this occasion. It's called "Durango Mountain Caballero" and most Denver fans agree that it's one of the best he's ever written.
All in all, this DVD will undoubtedly prove to be money well spent, not only for Muppet fans and John Denver fans alike, but really for everyone who's able to look at the world with wonder and see the simple beauty that is always there for each and every one of us.

John Denver and Jim Henson were good friends in real life and teamed up on several occasions (Muppet Show episode, John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Special, and Rocky Mtn. Holiday) to produce some good old fashioned family entertainment. In fact, according to Jim Henson's son, Brian, the story line for this movie stemmed from the episode of the Muppet Show that starred John Denver, in which he spends the entire show trying to convince the gang to go camping with him (note: this is according to the bonus features on the John Denver episode of the Muppet Show on DVD).

Rocky Mtn. Holiday contains the typical Muppet one-liners (John: "The mosquitos aren't bad", Kermit: "Aren't bad?! They're delicious!") and Muppetisms (Fozzie, claiming to speak 'Bearish' had a miscommunication problem with a wild bear thanks to dialect issues - she speaks Grizzlie, he speaks Paddington!) that make Muppet productions enjoyable. Although this movie was produced in 1982, it is timeless thanks to the natural beauty of the scenery and the ageless Muppets themselves.

For a tv movie that was produced in the early 80's, I am rather impressed with it's transfer to DVD. There are no special features, unless you count trailers for other Muppet movies or scene selection capabilities, BUT... the color is bright and the sound is well balanced. At a mere 47 minutes (thanks to tasteful selective editing out of the Rowlf / John flying scene), I am not sure this qualifies as a "movie" exactly, but it is a worthwhile purchase nonetheless, if only for nostalgia reasons. And, for those of you patiently (or impatiently?) waiting for the JD & Muppets Christmas to come out on DVD, you'll be pleased to know that the song "It's In Every One of Us" is also in THIS movie.

Enjoy!

It's my fault for assuming the title was changed, but I thought going in that this was the Christmas Special I remembered seeing as a kid, and found out the hard way after opening the DVD. If you're a fan of John Denver's country music and the muppets, then add a star to this DVD. If you really wanted "John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together," don't make the same mistake I did, and skip this one. Hopefully that will be released soon.

This Dvd is great. It has classic Denver songs and inspires with great shots of the mountain scenery and wildlife. It has something for everyone: the usual subtle adult humor the Muppets have a knack for, and the kids will love it too. Mine watch every day!

We really enjoyed watching John Denver & the Muppets, it made us feel we were in Colorado with them. It's worth watching just to see John sing Durango Mountain Caballero by the campfire, which we think is one of his greatest songs he ever did.There was all sorts of fun with the muppet gang, plenty of traditional songs & more of John's famous songs. We can definitely recommend this video if you are a John Denver fan.
Paul & Val Gilbert.

I'm sorry that the other reviewer purchased the incorrect title, but if you truly are a fan, you'd know which one you are looking at. I purchased this for my nieces and nephews who used to watch this special over and over (we had it on a Beta tape), and along with their grandpa (who is no longer with us) would sing along with all the songs! This Christmas was a trip down memory lane, bringing laughter and tears as we all watched and remembered how simple our lives were back then, and what we truly miss about it now. Hope the John Denver Christmas Holiday comes out soon.

The beauty of this special, directed by Jim Henson, is the down-home, family feel that John Denver and the Muppets so effortlessly capture. It has minimal special effects and a very light plot, but offers instead the natural beauty of the outdoors and the simple joys of beautiful music.

A short scene with John and Rowlf flying has been omitted due to the circumstances of John's passing. This decision was made in very good taste, and doesn't harm the overall feature.

This film is sure to please any family and will, in time, become a treasured classic.

Over twenty years have passed since this special originally aired, yet the timeless enviornment of the Rockies paired with the engaging Muppets during their heyday keep the program from feeling dated. There are a few subtle messages sprinkled throughout the special, such as conservation and keeping our forests clean, that still merit hearing today. Sadly, at least three of the great talents featured in this show are no longer with us, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, and, of course, John Denver, but the dvd is a perfect legacy of warm family feelings and humor.

This heartwarming video will be loved by all ages, and can be especially appreciated by those who have spent time out in nature. The Muppets are hilarious and it is obvious how much John Denver enjoyed making the movie. Good lessons are learned on the trip and fun is had by all, especially those watching the video. Get an extra copy of this one because your kids will wear it out.

I was looking for a CD sountrack of this movie when I encountered the DVD (I still listen to the tape I have from my childhood). I was delighted to see it rereleased. It is filled with classic Muppets humor and wonderful music. Even with the slightly out of tune Miss Piggy, all of the songs are fun, positive, and easy to sing to. The movie contains songs great for kids like "Grandma's Feather Bed" and "She'll be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes" and melodic favorites like "Catch another Butterfly" and "Rocky Mountain Caballero" for adults. A Must have for everyone's collection!