source: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

This may quite possibly be the best Christmas special out there. It is just like Braveheart, except minus the warriors and plus Christmas, Mice and a Clock Maker. My sister and I are in our mid-twenties and we watch this movie multiple times a year. Who doesn't love singing mice? It is a heartfelt tale that will encourage children of all ages to believe in Santa. Claymation is great, but few things are as Christmas-y as animated mice and humans co-habituating. You will laugh, you will cry, you will eat all three flavors out of the holiday popcorn tub that your mom bought you. Stay up late to catch it, or hunt online to buy it, it is a must have for every Holiday movie collection.

This is another Christmas special from Rankin/Bass that I had grew up with, along Rudolph and Frosty of course; also another favorite too. It is like I said, another thing that I love about Rankin/Bass are the memorable characters (like The Trundles and the little mouse family too), and also the music and songs too. I love to sing the song "Christmas chimes are calling." I also would like to point out, that I have recognize little Albert's voice as Molly Grue's from the film "The Last Unicorn" - Tammy Grimes. There are a lot of excellent casting in many Rankin/Bass specials and films.

Actually, Joel Grey was the Father in the human family here, the clockmaker-it was George Gobel who played father Mouse. This one makes some good points about not being blinded by science and cynicsm, and keeping the faith when it, and only it, can work. This also has Tammy Grimes and John McIver doing voice work, and adding to this show's quality. It isn't shown on TV much now, but should be-a fine companion piece to 'Grinch' or 'Frosty.

I have never seen a holiday special that I could sing along to as much as this. I literally grew up watching this this on a cruddy VHS from the 1980's, and when the UPS guy finally came with it today I nearly accidentally mauled him with excitement. The fact that this wonderful little treasure is finally on DVD format shows that there is indeed justice in the world. I won't have to worry about breaking down that trusty old video, I just break down this trusty old DVD! When I have children, I will force them to watch this everyday before Christmas (and learn the songs of course) so they can be dorks like me. There aren't enough stars to rate this, but I'll give it 10/10 anyway.

This film is just as good as any other Christmas film. This is a heart warming film that you can stand to watch a hundred times. One of the most rare underrated Rankin Bass films you will ever see. This portrays the story better than any other film ever!!!! When you watch this film you will feel better ;although, you can't put your finger on what you feel better about, you'll feel better. It's one of those films you'll see every once in a while that when you start to watch it you wait until its over much like "A Christmas Story". If you get your hands on this video you'll be glad you did you won't even want to return it. If it is a DVD format go and buy it, even though its kind of a kiddy movie, you'll love to watch it.

This has got to be one of the most underrated, under-appreciated Christmas specials out there. Granted, the animation isn't fantastic, but the story and songs more than make up for that. I watch it every year and the songs "Give Your Heart a Try" and "Even a Miracle Needs a Hand" still make me tear up when I hear them. It's a simple message of following your heart instead of your head even when you should know better. It's not as well-known as Frosty or Rudolph (both of which I love, by the way), but given the choice among the three I'd watch "Twas the Night Before Christmas" every time. A great special not only for kids but for adults who want to feel like kids for 25 minutes or so.

I don't remember ever seeing this as a child and I grew up in that era. In fact, I was 6 years old. Yes, it's only 25 minutes long, but you think it would have came on during the Holidays every year. And back then, we didn't have the number of TV/Cable channels that we do now. It was only the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc). Still, I'm just now watching this. It's kind of cute for a 70's animation and it has a decent lesson in it, if you brake something, then you must try to find a way to fix it. This is a good one for young children. And who can forget the famous Christmas poem by Clement Moore? I used to know all the words, but I couldn't recite them as well last night when I watched it. Are you new to watching this one as well? See how well you remember the famous poem! Definitely a great CLASSIC for the Holidays!

Rankin and Bass does it again. The music is what makes this special truly special. Rankin and Bass make some of the best musical specials ever in the history of Television and 'Twas The Night Before Chrismtas is no exception. It's fun, it's heartwarming, it's everything you would expect from a holiday special. But it's not perfect, I think I should note some major goofs in the animation. The reindeer mainly, the ears are too round, they look more like reinmice then reindeer and the sleigh bells are too large. I mean these are huge bells. Too big. But other then that it does a great job in entertaining and teaching a message about keeping an open mind to the unknown. 9 STARS to a true classic.