Customer Reviews

The Little Drummer Boy

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The original Christmas special, as shown on television in the late sixties and seventies, and as produced on VHS in the eighties, was a tasteful gem, with a rare, austere beauty, evocative music and a raw, deep emotional core. Sadly, this DVD does not come close to the original viewing experience because so many critical audio bits were not transferred in the conversion process. Most of Aaron's animal friends' bleats and grunts are gone, even at the moment when the lamb is injured he's mute, the yelp has disappeared. And one of the most poignant lines in the special - "and when Aaron looked at the babe, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen," has been altered, the original line, as delivered beautifully by narrator Greer Garson, is replaced, inexplicably, by actor Paul Frees. In the final moments of the production, the baby Jesus makes an adorably natural murmuring sound from manger but this CRITICAL sound too is GONE. Obviously, what's been sold a resoration is merely an earlier rough cut that does not contain all the audio refinements added prior to completion. Please fix this Rankin Bass!

Visual quality grainy. Sound quality below average.

WHO CARES? When a Christmas special is this good, those things fall by the wayside. I remember watching this as a kid. I truly wish they made specials like this in this century. So much tinsel and Santa (both fine), but SO little substance...

This is a great, heartfelt story about a child finding the most important person and relationship any of us can find...Jesus.

This is one of the best Christmas movies lf the season. I wish they had put it on tv. Political correctness sucks.

I am very happy with this DVD, and with the Amazon's service. I bought this movie because I looked for this in local stores or rent with no succes, But although I live in Costa Rica Amazon did possible that I can to see again this beautiful history (that it has not been possible to see on TV for 20 years), at only 3 shipping weeks and before christmas. The history contains a beautiful scenes and a important and positive education for the family, remembering the real sense of Christmas.

This is one of the classics forever during the holidays, generations to come will enjoy it and love it, teaches how senseless hate can be and love is always stronger, besides the song is really heart warming.

This is the 1968 by Rankin/Bass television special. The story is based on the Christmas song. The young boy Aaron, left orphaned when thieves invade his home, lives a life away from people. He has three dancing animal friends, the drum his parents gave him, and not much else. A greedy traveling showman exploits Aaron and his animals as a musical act. This dark story eventually turns and leads Aaron to the Three Wise Men and the journey to Bethlehem. Voice talent includes Greer Garson who narrates, Jose Ferrer as the showman (he sings too), Paul Frees as all three Wise Men, and the Vienna Boys' Choir singing the title song, one the best versions I've heard. I think with all the Frosty, Rudolph and Heat Miser your kids can watch, this would give them spiritual balance during the holiday.

The product is satisfactory. However, there were two items with different descriptions, so I decided to order one of each. When they arrived, they were identical.

the last few minutes of the show is really the only good part- arguably though those last few minutes are the best of any christmas cartoon ever made.
the rest of the story isn't put together or illustrated very well, but run time is only 25 minutes so it doesn't drag on too long before you get to the excellent and memorable heart-warming conclusion.

When I heard that the Little Drummer Boy was once again going to be re-released on DVD I was ecstatic since I thought we'd finally get a trluy restored version to replace my old DVD which had the picture quality of a worn out VHS tape. But, once again, we're given a sub-par print with dark, grainy imagery and scratches. This is nothing more than the same repackaged junk that already existed! I understand it's quite possible that no better prints exist, but if that's the case then the state of affairs on this terribly neglected classic is even grimmer than imagined. Own it if you've no other choice but this is a shame. I give it a 5 for content and less than zero for quality.

I remember watching this show every year with my mom. It is a great story to share with my kids, and it takes me back to memories I shared with my mom, who is no longer with us.