So, I see a lot of DVD reviews here, but I'm reviewing the Amazon Video digital download. I had to leave a review because there are some surprises that aren't explained very well in the description. I thought the price was pretty steep for a single special, but I bought it anyhow because it's a classic, and my toddler loves Peanuts. Then it started playing, and I realized the running time was more than an hour long. Here's what you get in the download:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). This is the very first Peanuts special, and it's just as charming and rough around the edges as you remember it. It's a perfect mood piece for Christmas; if anything, it's too short. I get a little choked up at the end when the gang decides to be nice to Charlie Brown and fix his Christmas tree (even though I've probably seen it 50 times). The video is well done; I have my stereo hooked up to my TV, and the music sounds great. The video is high-def, which maybe doesn't matter for a 1960s animated film, but it's nice to have. DVD quality at least, maybe better.

2. It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992). This one follows right after the first one's credits, with no indication that it's there until it starts playing. It's kind of a clunker, not one I'd rewatch often. There are some David Benoit covers of the Guaraldi Peanuts songs, but otherwise it's pretty forgettable.

3. It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown (1984). !!! I have no idea why this is stuck on the end of the download, since it has nothing to do with Christmas, but don't overlook it. After a boring first five minutes, this one transforms into the best of the Peanuts musicals. There's virtually no plot, but there are five great songs in succession: "I'm in Shape," "Lucy Says," "Pigpen Hoedown," "It's Snoopy," and of course "Flashbeagle" (twice). Each song is about two minutes in length, perfect for kids with short attention spans. Great songs, great vocals. "Flashbeagle" is cheesy and dated (it probably was in 1984!), but it's undeniably catchy. Everybody in the family will be humming these tunes all day after watching this special. A bit of trivia: Stacy Ferguson (better known as Fergie) played Sally in this special.

So, there you go. One moderately-priced download gets you two fantastic specials and one throwaway. Not bad! I would've given this five stars just for the main feature, but the bonuses just pushed it over the top. Thanks, Amazon!

Do not buy this! I received it today and it was wrapped in shrink wrap so it looks like it's just fine, but it's a con job. I paid extra for the Blu-ray disc and I received a scratched up DVD that had fingerprints on it and the bonus disc is missing. I will be sending it back.

I ordered this DVD to have a copy of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at my home for grandchildren to watch. In the past, I have borrowed a copy from a friend but decided it was time to purchase one for my home. I wisely decided to pre-view the DVD to make sure it was is good working condition. It was immediately apparent why the DVD price was so inexpensive. The information on the back of the DVD case states, "...brilliantly remastered in an all-new Ultra HD transfer." I do not know what the editors were hoping to achieve, but the result is disastrous. Firstly, the images are not crisp; it is as if the focus was deliberately blurred a bit. Secondly, the colors are garish; I assume the editors decided the video needed "brightening" up. Thirdly, it appears the editors added a layer of falling snow to several outdoor scenes; it is obvious these are not original and they are completely annoying to look at. Fourthly, the aspect ratio appears to be very weird; some images are wider. Lastly, and unrelated to the video quality, the DVD was shipped in an Amazon padded envelope and arrived with a broken case. I grew up watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year since it was first televised in 1965. I am returning this monstrosity and will search for an edition which is more closely honors the intent of the original version.

A Christmas classic. I am sure so many people make a point of watching this every year that one more review will mean nothing. I mean, this is the cartoon that started people calling lousy Christmas trees "Charlie Brown trees" like forty years ago or so. It's become a tradition in American society. Vince Guaraldi's music was groundbreaking then, especially in a cartoon. And the characters were spot-on. And as for Linus telling the Christmas story of Jesus' birth and telling Charlie Brown "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown," is something that the ACLU hasn't managed to eradicate. It's too integral a part of the cartoon, and is a message that needs to be sent every Christmas.

It's almost a requirement to watch this every Christmas season.

I always knew Christmas wasn't far behind when A Charlie Brown Christmas was on TV. Living in the South, we didn't usually have snow, but we had Charlie Brown to start off the season and to remind us of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. It's not the gifts or the food or the parties or the stockings or the shopping, right Linus? It's about the good news of the birth of our Savior. The lessons you taught us when we were kids are the lessons we taught our children, and share today with our children's children. So glad I have it in my library to watch and share with my grand-daughter all year round. She's only 2, but she recognizes the beloved characters of Snoopy and the gang. Thanks for the lessons and the memories, Charles Shultz, and Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

My son loves everything having to do with Charlie Brown. Lego batman doesn’t even get as many excited squeals as Charlie Brown. This movie is a classic and I knew he’d love it and sure enough he thinks it’s one of the best movies ever. What’s so great about this is there’s more short movies. It’s not just the Christmas special. It has two other movies with it. It’s christmas time again Charlie Brown and flash beagle. There’s plenty of songs and dancing with flash beagle, peppermint patty’s “I’m in shape” Lucy sings “Lucy says” there’s a musical chairs game and song, pigpen hoe down and plenty of snoopy as flash beagle. The extra movies not listed in the description make this an excellent buy. My son is over the moon excited about any peanuts movie and this is a great little collection.

4k ULTRA HD? Charlie Brown? Believe it or not this is in actual 4k. You can view other websites that will confirm that it is not a upscaled or fake 4k Blu Ray but truly is in 4k. Very good quality that I believe has been taken from the original film negative. Some grain may show due to the old school process used for animation in the 1960s, but still a fantastic feature.

Charlie Brown the all american boy who grew up but never came of age in nameless everywhere's-ville suburbia in the 1960's. As a disabled autistic kid I could identify strongly with the Charlie Brown character. Charlie Brown was an awesome teacher in that he never lost his spirit. Charlie Brown was always on a search for the deeper meaning of holidays. Charlie Brown upon encountering Christmas set himself on a journey to find the real meaning of Christmas. He looses his composure almost to the point of dispondancy upon seeing Snoopy's Dog House. Trust me all that money as Moscot of Met Life must pay well because; Snoopy's dog house was as tricked out as can be for a 1960's era puppy pad. Snoopy's house proved dude traveled with the BIG DAWGS!

But seriously Snoopy's dog house represented everything commercial and trite that Christmas had appeared to become in Charlie Browns eyes. Charlie Brown in true non- autistic (Neurologically typical fashion) went upon talking to each of his friends trying to find the real meaning of Christmas. Charlie Brown eventually buys his now infamous little tree and attempts to decorate it. A short visit to Linus and in one of the most touching monologues I've ever ever heard Linus reveals the true meaning of Christmas. It is the child like innocence laced with conviction that never fails to move me on hearing his explaination of the holidays true meaning.

I will deliver no more spoilers beyond the fact it ends happily for all concerned. I enjoy the music. For me the sound was great. I listened to the DVD over a beautiful 7.1 surround sound system and it times it felt as if the characters were in the room with me. A bit spooky when the sound is so real its like listening in on a conversation being had in the room with you. The picture quality was pretty good considering I was used seeing this on a old color TV growing up and black and white before that. It's A Charlie Brown Christmas is part of my childhood that comes alive for me when I watch this. A DVD of a show from my childhood is as close to a time machine as I can get and I love the experience even if it does not last anywhere near long enough. Buy the DVD and rewaken your lost memories it's a truly awesome experience.