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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartwarming Christmas Episode Of A Classic Series,
By Simon Davis (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Waltons The Children's Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The two part episode "The Children's Carol", was the special Christmas story for the sixth season (1977-78), of the classic "The Waltons", and even coming this far into the long run of this series on Network Television was as fine an effort as anything from the earlier years of this legendary program. Amazingly this two part story was only the second Christmas themed episode up to that time on the series which was famed for its warm family subject matter. However it is a most worthy successor to season five's classic "The Best Christmas" which was the first Christmas episode of the series. While that earlier episode had drama aplenty in its storyline "The Children's Carol", was significant in pushing the series further ahead time-wise where the effects of the coming World War really begin to affect life on Walton's Mountain.
The story of "The Children's Carol", centres on two young English war orphans Tess and Pip, who come to stay with the Baldwin sisters (Mary Jackson & Helen Kleeb), over the Christmas holidays. Having lost their parents and being scarred by their experiences in the London Blitz the Baldwin sisters ask Olivia (Michael Learned), if the Waltons would mind taking the children in the hope that a large and loving family environment will help the children overcome their horrific experiences. However the children remain remote and non communicative and very soon Olivia finds herself questioning her formerly strong religious faith in the light of what the children have had to endure. Many other aspects of life on Walton's Mountain also seem to be changing for the worst as well as son Jason (Jon Walmsley), abandons his cherished music for a tough military training program preparing for the future and Mary Ellen (Judy Norton), leaves home to spend a lonely Christmas waiting for her absent husband Kurt who has been stationed away from home for the holidays. Meanwhile Jim Bob (David Harper), has managed to make a short wave radio connection with a girl in London called Allison and she makes some enquiries to try and find out what actually happened to Tess and Pip's parents during the bombing when they simply disappeared. After much searching this Allison manages to find out what happened to the children's parents and the hope is restored of them possibly being reunited with the mother they both thought was dead. With some light on the horizon the Waltons then settle in with their English guests to celebrate what promises to be the last Christmas they will share together before the dark shadow of war comes over all of their lives. Coming in the second half of the run of "The Waltons", when the series began to suffer from changes in the cast lineup, this episode is unfortunately without the presense of series regulars Richard Thomas, who had left the series at the end of the previous season to pursue other acting work, and Ellen Corby who had played Grandma but had suffered a serious stroke half way through the previous year and was written out of this season. Despite these absenses "The Children's Carol", presents some of the finest work from the later part of the series and is one of the best of the Christmas themed episodes of the series. Michael Learned as Olivia in particular really shines in her difficult role here of the religious woman who has drawn strength from her faith all her life but who as Christmas approaches begins to question those beliefs in the light of the devastation and human cost that war brings. It truly is a fine performance and combined with the growing sense of war affecting everyone's set of values as seen in Jason abandoning his music and learning to "kill", in military camp and neighbour Verdi being attacked by a thief while collecting for charity, the series brings much vivid realism into this special Christmas story. One of the great strengths of "The Waltons", was this great ability to tie in real life historical events with the fictional storyline. Much of the fine drama of "The Children's Carol", rests in the scenes between the two young war orphans and the Walton family where we see first hand how war can destroy young lives and leave permanent scars. Youngsters Sally Boyden and Jeff Cotler really do a fine job as the battle scared children who have lost everything in the London blitz and the scenes where they collect up biscuits to "store away",at the Baldwin house and in particular when they run terrified to hide in a drain hole thinking an air raid has begun when the mail plane flies over head bring home vividly the drama of the coming war and its effects on people. Of course the Christmas theme is never far away from the stories happenings and the delightful scene of Grandpa (Will Geer), taking grand daughter Elizabeth and the two orphans up into the hills to select a Christmas tree is a real standout. However "The Children's Carol", is no simple sentimental festive story. Indeed this 2 hour episode marked a real change in direction for the series which earlier had focused on a family struggling to survive the great Depression. Now we see such elements as military service, air raid practice and family separations as the day to day reality in the series. The finale of the episode where we hear over the short wave radio about the fate of Tess and Pip's parents is guaranteed to pull at your heart strings and makes "The Children's Carol", fine family entertainment. I grew up loving "The Waltons", and while I was saddened at the cast changes in the series second half which did affect the show there were still many outstanding episodes in these later seasons. The two part "The Children's Carol", is one such example and for a Christmas tale full of drama, sentiment and raw reality it cannot be bettered. Along with the original television movie on which "The Waltons", was based; "The Homecoming" thes two stories make highly recommended viewing during the Christmas season. Enjoy
28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I thought this was a very good episode.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Waltons The Children's Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I enjoy watching all of the Waltons. This episode shows how war effects the children. The Waltons of course are always ready to help if possible. Ben got his two way radio to contact Germany. The orphans got to talk to their mom and they learned that their father was killed. It was very touching.
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Waltons The Children's Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)
i been watching the waltons for 15 years or more me and my dad use to sit togather a watch the show now that my dad pastaway my kids watch it with me
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