Product Details

• Actors: John Goodman, Bob Newhart, Debbie Reynolds, Eric Pospisil, Kathleen Barr
• Directors: William R. Kowalchuk Jr.
• Writers: Michael Aschner, Robert May
• Producers: Andrew Greenberg, Eric Ellenbogen, Jean Rogers, Jonathan Flom, Seth Willenson
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Good Times Video
• VHS Release Date: December 11, 2001
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305056862
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,243 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Competing with the time-tested, 1964 original Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, with the abominable snowman, the misfit toys, the lovably clunky motion, and Burl Ives as narrator, is no easy task. So this feature-length, animated musical skirts a straight squaring-off of versions. The story line is a bit more complex, with the abominable snowman's antagonist role played by the Whoopi Goldberg-voiced Ice Queen, Stormella, and Rudolph's running buddies depicted as a polar bear (excellently voiced by Bob Newhart) and, not surprisingly, a cutesy doe, Zoey. The animation is first-rate and completely convincing, making this new Rudolph ideal for the discriminating 3- to 7-year-old viewer. Stormella looks for all the world like a hybrid of King Triton and Ursula, the Sea Witch from Disney's The Little Mermaid. As for the story, none of it is either heavyhanded on the good versus evil front for the younger set, or so sappy that it's intolerable for adults. As with so many animated features this decade, the presence of seasoned actors with experience in comedy makes for dialogue that's entertainingly nuanced. Since there are moments of tension and conflict, the comic relief is important and unmistakable, even for younger viewers. The themes are the same as the original, and the ultimate embrace by Santa (done well by John Goodman) of Rudolph's difference still packs a good lesson. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful update on a timeless classic!, January 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Being a long time fan of the original "Rudolph" series that airs every Christmas, this video caught my eye with its all-star cast. I believe this movie is a great triumph for Goodtimes Entertainment! I found the animation to be superb and the songs endearing. This film pulled me in from beginning to end...I kept expecting to see the original story line, but this fresh new twist I found to be very contemporary by today's standards. John Goodman and Whoppi Goldberg portrayed their characters with humor and heart felt goodness. Though I must admit there is a certain level of violence invloved, but nothing shy of what one might find in a Disney movie today. I was however upset to find that the video was not recorded in Hi-Fi Stereo. The CD sound track is wonderfully mastered in Dolby stereo. I have since bought the DVD release of this film and though the special features are not on par with other DVD manufacturers, it brought the Dolby 2.0 sound I wanted to hear. It's not 5.1 DD sound, but I'm still delighted. I spoke with Goodtimes Entertainment on numerous occasions about the production of this film and they somewhat admitted they were pushed for time on its release date. The voice synch did not get polished as others have mentioned in their reviews. I still really like the movie and stand behind my comments!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars some parts very scary for young children, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I expected this video to be a very enjoyable, light, happy story about Rudolph whom my children love. Instead we found a movie which has Rudolph lost at times, confronted by very scary wolves and other forest animals. One reindeer friend Zoe is imprisoned by the ice witch, Stormella, and various other things happen which are actually very scary for young (under 5) children. At one point Stormella sings a song with the refrain "I hate Santa Claus" and lights a fire in the chimney so Santa is set on fire! The movie ends with a happy ending but I think some parents will be surprised and dismayed at the overall negative storyline which is very unexpected. I would not recommend this video for under 5 year old children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good movie to see., July 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Movie (DVD)

This movie is great. Very good details of the characters. I really like the movie. The sound track is hard to find, but the music is great.