Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
by Kizo Nagashima, Larry Roemer
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann, Paul Soles, Stan FrancisDirector: Kizo Nagashima, Larry Roemer
Brand: GENIUS PRODUCTS INC
Producer: Arthur Rankin Jr.
Producer: Jules Bass
Writer: Robert May
Writer: Romeo Muller
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 47 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-09-24
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Classic Media
Movie Reviews of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Movie Review: Immortal Christmas Classic Featuring The Most Famous Reindeer Of All
Summary: 5 Stars
A "true treasure", is really the only way to describe this legendary Christmas television special that originally premiered in 1964. Arthur Rankin's totally captivating stop motion animation was a bench mark for everything that has come since and even with all of our modern computer technology nothing could come close to the beauty of the creations here. The story of that most famous of reindeers, the one and only Rudolph who's initial drawback of having a shiny nose eventually becomes his chief asset, is beautifully told in a music filled special narrated by Burl Ives in a perfect piece of casting as Sam the snowman. This special has quite rightly become a Christmas instituation every year since its initial release and appeals equally to both children and adults with its timeless message of tolerance and acceptance of all who are different. It has happily now been given a deserving release onto DVD back in its original form complete with deleted songs and a superb restoration.
Based on the immortal Christmas song by Johnny Marks who was also responsible for all the lyrics in this television production, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", tells us the entire story of this most famous reindeer and how he became Santa's best helper. Born with a strange glowing nose that invites the ridicule of all who know him, Rudolph sees his whole position in life ruined when he is passed over to become part of Santa's team of reindeers. Despite having the affection of young Doe Clarice, Rudolph sets out to find a proper life for himself and along the way not only meets some colourful characters but also encounters some real danger. Rudolph teams up first with Hermey, an elf who like Rudolph is considered an outcast in his community as he doesn't enjoy making toys and wants instead to become a dentist. The pair soon join up with eccentric prospector Yukon Cornelius on his travels which involve escaping the clutches of the Abominable Snow Monster and visiting the strange island of misfit toys who are waiting for Santa to find homes for all of the unwanted toys gathered on the island. Rudolph however returns to the North Pole just prior to Christmas to find Santa in an absolute state about not being able to do the present deliveries on Christmas Eve as a terrible blizzard has blown up making conditions impossible to travel in all over the world. For once Rudolph's shiny nose is viewed as an asset and Santa finally sees that only with Rudolph's help guiding his sleigh will his deliveries be able to be made. Rudolph thus wins total acceptance with Hermey also finally getting a chance to do what he really wants in dentistry with even the Abominable Snow Monster finding himself a useful role in being tall enough to place the Christmas Star on Santa's Christmas tree at the happy conclusion.
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", has been the inspiration for countless animators since 1964 with Tim Burton in his latest effort "The Corpse Bride", being the latest to pay homage to the genius of Arthur Rankin's work. I personally feel "Rudolph", is the crowning glory of the many fine animated specials produced by Rankin and his team. The characters in the story all have their own distinct personalities from the timid Rudolph, to the colourful Yukon Cornelius, through to the harried Santa and Mrs. Claus. Despite the limitations of this early animation it is a supreme achievement that these characters are able to convey identifiable qualities to the viewing audience. Particulary endearing are of course Rudolph's character who only yearns for the acceptance of his peers which I'm sure we can all identify with, and Hermy who is also in the same situation. It was a wonderful idea to have the character of Sam the Snowman (who seems to have been the inspiration for the later Frosty the Snowman), present to narrate the story and they could not have found a more perfect performer than singer/actor Burl Ives to take on the voice of this jolly character. Ives at the film's conclusion gets the opportunity to sing the immortal title song which I feel is synonymous with the Christmas season and for which he as a performer would be forever after associated with. As befitting a family Christmas special "Rudolph", contains some other charming musical numbers as well such as "Holly Jolly Christmas", and "Silver and Gold", that are sure to delight old and young viewers alike.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is such a Christmas fixture that I couldn't imagine the festive season without a screening of this television classic. I find the special so enchanting not only because of its breathtaking animation and lovable characters but also by the charming innocence of the whole story, something which is sadly missing in much of our present day television programming. Outstanding Christmas specials that still entertain forty one years after they first appeared are few and far between and if you haven't had the joy of seeing the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in Arthur Rankin's television masterpiece then do yourself and your family a favour and treat them to a screening of it next Christmas.
Summary of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST CANCELLED BECAUSE OF A FIERCE STORM.RUDOLPH SAVES THE DAY WITH HIS GLOWING NOSE, GUIDING SANTA'SSLEIGH THROUGH THE STORM.Similar DVD Movies
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