Product Details

• Actors: José Ferrer, Paul Frees, June Foray, Ted Eccles, Greer Garson
• Directors: Arthur Rankin Jr., Takeya Nakamura (II), Jules Bass
• Format: Animated, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony
• VHS Release Date: September 11, 2001
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005M2FE
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,746 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The model animation techniques in this 1968 Rankin and Bass TV chestnut are primitive by today's standards, and picky kids may reject them out of hand. The story, however, which elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child. The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies the show for holiday-perennial status. The big-name voice performers, Jose Ferrer and Greer Garson (who narrates), may be a little too ponderous for the occasion, but the familiar cartoony tones of Paul Frees (aka Boris Badenov) and June Forey (aka Rocket J. Squirrel) help liven up the proceedings. It's only 23 minutes long, so it's worth a shot for younger children. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the holiday., August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Drummer Boy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video is not a sugary "warm-fuzzy". Instead, it deals with the reality of life, which is sometimes harsh. Life is not perfect, yet there is strength to be found in the perfect love of Jesus. I recommend it to parents who want their children to appreciate the true reason for CHRISTmas.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST Family Oriented Films EVER MADE!, May 16, 2000

By	The Christmas Boy "Tinkle Dinkle!" (North Pole, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Little Drummer Boy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a FINE example of what Christmas is ALL ABOUT and not being too preachy. This is the story about Aaron, the Little Drummer Boy, who hates all people because his family was murdered by a group of Desert Thieves. Aaron is kidnapped by Ben Harmed, the greedy and crooked, self proclaimed "Kin of the Desert Showmen". (played superbly by Hosse' Ferrer) and his bubling assistant, Ollie. The story is told by Greer Garason, with a great air of dignanty. I cry every time I watch this story and there is good reason why (not tears of sadness, but tears of joy over the words of the African King about the Christ Child, because he is SO right!) This story was created by the GREAT Romeo Muller, who is the FINEST children's writer who EVER lived! You can't go wrong with a story writen by Romeo Muller. This one, in fact was his most favorite story that he ever wrote for Rankin/Bass Productions (his most favorite he EVER wrote was NOEL, which is also on video.) But I would HIGHLY recomend this film to anyone and everyone. It's VERY enjoyable and you and your family will love it.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tender, November 13, 2004

By	Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Little Drummer Boy (DVD)

I love this movie and cry everytime I watch it. Perhaps it is too religious for some people, but not for me. After all, Christmas is the birth of Jesus, that's what it's all about.
This movie shows the tenderness of the Season, the reason for the Season and the love of God. I really think this is one DVD that everyone should own and watch every Christmas, if just to remember what it's all about.