I remember the first time that I saw this cartoon. I was about 6 or 7 years old, and I was starting to get into the Peanuts comic strips as I was learning how to read. From the first time I saw it, I knew there was something very different about this animated Christmas special that set it apart from others. Maybe it was the fact that it actually gave the true meaning of Christmas by having Linus quote Luke 2:8-14. Maybe it was able to capture charm and whit of the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz. Maybe it was the jazzy background music by Vince Guaraldi. Maybe it was all the above. I'm gonna go with the last one. To this day I still find this Christmas special to be a very touching one.
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jweatherford2720 December 2003
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gazzo-216 December 2004.......and certainly by far this is the best of the Peanuts specials. Odd that the first one was the best, ya know? (And in running down the long list here in the Schulz credits-what were some of those-You're a Good Man Charlie Brown? You'll Find Her Charlie Brown? It's Arthritis, Charlie Brown, etc....You got the point...too much of a good thing...) I associate watching this w/ seeing it back to back w/ Frosty or the Grinch, coming inside after sledding outside in the snow, that famous CBS whirling Special intro, and those York Peppermint Patty(TM) ads. Just somehow all seemed to fit, back in '74 and now.
The animation-sure it's sloppy, typical TV '60's stuff-Schulz always said he didn't like this show nearly as much as everyone else seemed too-it was too rushed-but it does work. The best parts-the singing at the end, the great Linus speech-have resonated down thru the years and continue to hit home even now.
I don't expect there to be a better Christmas special ever.
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travisimo14 December 2003A Charlie Brown Christmas is probably the most unique Christmas film you can find. It's different because the Peanuts gang seem melancholy and introspective much of the time. I mean, do kids really worry about the commercialization of Christmas?!
Nevertheless, the special really speaks to adults and probably older kids, and keeps you thinking after it's over. It has a very good message, and the music, while also melancholy, sticks with you for a long time afterwards. You could probably play a few notes of their "Christmastime" song, and I'll immediately picture this film. This movie should definitely become part of anybody's holiday collection, even if it's only to stand out from the other material.
My IMDb Rating: 9/10. My Yahoo! Grade: A- (Almost Perfect) -
lauraeileen89419 November 2006It's almost Christmas, and the Peanuts gang is eagerly anticipating it well, except good ol' Charlie Brown, who just doesn't feel quite right about the festivities this year. Oh, he likes presents and sending cards (even though he never receives them, as indicated by the echo in his mailbox) and all, but Charlie Brown can't quite get into the spirit. It's most likely the crass commercialism that's tainted the holiday, from little sister Sally's epic letter to Santa to the pink aluminum Christmas trees for sale. In a rare show of generosity, crabby Lucy tries to lift Charlie Brown's spirits by letting him direct the school's annual Christmas play, but the rest of the kids are too self-absorbed to cooperate. It will take a pitiful little Christmas tree and some help from the ever introspective Linus to restore Charlie Brown's love of the holidays.
A staple of Christmas since 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the first animated "Peanuts" special, and easily the best. The animation is crude yet has a sweet charm to it. In a rarity in animated films, real children with no acting experience voiced the entire cast of characters (excluding Snoopy). The result is jarringly realistic, since some of the kids are mush mouthed and stumble over words like "syndicate". It introduced the legendary "Linus & Lucy" tune (which would become the "Peanuts" theme song), provided by Vince Guaraldi. Handpicked by Charles M. Schulz himself, Guraldi was responsible for the "Peanuts" specials' uniquely sophisticated sound. The music manages to bring to mind both images of childhood innocence and smoky jazz clubs.
But amidst all the familiar antics (Snoopy's shameless mugging, Linus's blanket, Charlie Brown's melancholy), there is something truly powerful at the heart of "A Charlie Brown Christmas". In our confusing, politically correct climate, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" teaches us the true meaning of Christmas; none of that bland, "family and friends" garbage, but the honest to God meaning of Christmas. Without being preachy, histrionic, or self-indulgent, we learn that Christmas isn't about presents, shopping, or trees, but about a baby born in a humble stable who would grow up to die for our sins. In 1965 that was simply common knowledge, but it is so easily forgotten in the harried, materialistic New Millennium. It is keeping this message in mind that Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang learn that Christmas should unite us, and spread the feeling of love and acceptance into a harsh world.
So for those of you who feel the way Charlie Brown felt in the beginning about Christmas, watch this special with a loved one. It is almost magic, the way it will restore your faith -
jhclues30 November 2001When Charles M. Schulz passed away, he left behind a legacy of joy beyond measure; through Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang, he offered insights into human nature that rival that of Thackeray and Twain, and he did it simply and succinctly, through his endearing characters and his own personal generosity of spirit. And it's that spirit that is concisely captured in `A Charlie Brown Christmas,' directed by Bill Melendez and featuring an original score composed and performed by Vince Guaraldi. And you could not find a more perfect example to more aptly illustrate the contributions and enrichment to our lives and to our world made by this consummate artist who through a comic strip managed to convey an unparalleled kind of down-to-earth wisdom and common sense.
This is only one of many `holiday' offerings featuring the Peanuts gang (at least two of which, `It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' and `A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,' are especially endearing), but it's the real jewel in the crown among the many treasures to emerge from the vivid and fertile imagination of Charles Schulz. Without a doubt, `A Charlie Brown Christmas,' which premiered in 1965, has since become a cherished classic in it's own right. In this one, Charlie Brown gets picked by Lucy to direct their Christmas play, but he runs into some trouble picking out a proper Christmas tree. And Snoopy gets caught up in the commercialism of the season by entering the neighborhood decorating contest, adorning his dog house with such an array of lights and trim that it just may have a chance at winning the grand prize. But the most memorable moment of the film belongs to Linus, when he takes the spotlight to explain in his own inimitable way what Christmas really means. it's poignant and heart-felt; a moment that remains touching no matter how many times you see it. It's beautifully expressed, and in it's simplicity speaks volumes about the things that really matter in our lives.
The cast includes the voices of Peter Robbins (Charlie Brown), Christopher Shea (Linus), Tracy Stratford (Lucy), Sally Dryer (Violet), Karen Mendelson (Patty), Kathy Steinberg (Sally), Geoffrey Ornstein (Pig-pen), Chris Doran (Schroeder), Ann Altieri (Freida), Pamelyn Ferdin (also Lucy) and Bill Melendez (Snoopy). A fitting tribute to a man who gave us so much, `A Charlie Brown Christmas' is a story that will find it's way into the hearts of generation after generation, a timeless tale filled with humanity and universal appeal. Warm and entertaining, this is a film that can be seen over and over again without ever losing it's charm or it's magic. Charles M. Schulz may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! I rate this one 10/10. -
chevy_malibu9726 December 2003This movie is a true Christmas Classic. I can not think of a Christmas passing without at least once watching this film. It is one of the few Christmas Specials that actually tells what the true meaning of Christmas is. I love the animation. I am sure it is primitive compared to 2003 standards, but who cares.I can watch this over and over again.
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stevecliff7 December 2004How can you not love it? I'm a 46-year-old Jewish agnostic, and this still makes me laugh and brings a tear to my eye after dozens of viewings; and I don't think it's just nostalgia. I think if you can't enjoy this, you might as well just pack it in. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this and the ORIGINAL Grinch. Too bad the follow-ups, with the exception of course of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, have never matched its humor, charm and heart. Favorite funny line? Lucy complains about always getting toys and bikes and clothes. "What do you want?" Charlie Brown asks. "REAL ESTATE!" Favorite touching moment? The transformation of the scrawny tree into a beautiful one of course.
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gavin694223 December 2013Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.
The story goes that when this cartoon was first made, it ran into issues because of the lack of canned laughter and the religious overtones. Despite some apprehensions, it went forward as planned. And guess what? It became one of the most successful Christmas specials ever aired.
I could not even imagine this with laughter. I mean, Charlie Brown is something of a sad sack -- we should not be laughing at him, but feeling sympathy for him. And how can we not appreciate his message of commercialism gone too far? I was not alive in the 1960s, but I think it would be a fair assumption to say that the commercialism of Christmas has not decreased... not one bit. -
AlsExGal4 October 2020Peanuts will always exist in middle class mid-century America. It's exclusively a child's world that is presented, with all adult voices just coming across as a "mwah mwah mwah mwah" sounding drone, which is no doubt what you heard when adults spoke and you were a child and no doubt what your own children really hear when you speak.
Charlie Brown is a child everyman with dreams who exists in a world with a sometimes cruel pecking order. Lucy is always besting him, but Charlie Brown's own dog bests Lucy with nothing more than the threat of a slobbery kiss. The episodes teach lessons that in many cases, sadly, could not be taught today. For example, , A Charlie Brown Christmas has Charlie Brown wondering what Christmas is all about. In the end, as an answer, Linus presents the simple Biblical tale of Jesus' birth. The moral comes across as "Christmas is not about getting more stuff", and in the 60's did not ignite a firestorm - as it would today no doubt - of people claiming they were offended by the "exclusivity of the message" so that you had to water down the message to the point where there is no message at all.
I was a kid in the 60s, so it's about the nostalgia for me, but I think most people will find this simple tale of childhood charming. -
juliafwilliams23 June 2004Like fine wine, A Charlie Brown Christmas improves with age. It has become the standard not only for the other Charlie Brown specials but also for the animated Christmas specials that have followed it over the decades. Thanks to innovations like video and DVD, Peanuts devotees the world over can enjoy their favorite Charlie Brown specials any time of the year (read Christmas in July). Charlie Brown, the Van Pelt siblings and, of course, Snoopy, are heaven-sent and will be in the hearts of future generations long after us earthlings are no more.
God bless Charlie Brown and the Van Pelts. God bless Charles M. Schultz for creating such legendary icons. -
One year away from the 50th anniversary of A CHARLIE BROWN Christmas and it's continuing relevance it's impressive. I'm always (even just a little) surprised at how strongly I identify with Charlie Brown's struggle with the meaning of Christmas. He's trying to get at the fundamentals of the holiday, and it's increasingly difficult in our world to hold onto those. And even Linus' quoting of scripture at the end feels right (and I'm not a religious person). There's a purity of message here that's extremely refreshing. That said, this annual special is just another reason to hear Vince Guaraldi's iconic score. That guy's a national treasure and his work has only enriched the holiday music this country has to offer.
7/10 -
Varlaam25 December 1999This morning I turned on the television to find something with just the right atmosphere for opening Christmas presents. But in the 500-channel universe, could I find the Queen, or the Pope, or anything? I could find practically anything but Christmas.
The most inappropriate programme on wasn't the infomercial for the miracle juicer, no, it was the annual Parade of Expensive Children's Merchandise direct from Disneyland, in case there were some kids left who hadn't coerced a Mickey, or Terk, or Pumbaa from their beleaguered parents. One of the French channels did have a service from Notre Dame in Paris which was the right sort of thing, with an actual church and choir, but it was entirely in French. But then I found "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on one of the stations.
Once upon a time, "Charlie Brown" was just a prelude for its television viewers, most of whom would be attending church closer to Christmas Day. Nowadays, it's probably more than just the prelude; it's likely to be the whole concert.
Thank goodness Charles Schulz and company did such a fine job of crafting this programme back in 1965. Thirty-five years later, Charlie Brown is still as earnest and sympathetic as ever. He was even decrying the commercialization of Christmas back then, decrying in the wilderness, it seems.
Vince Guaraldi normally gets a lot of credit for his music, but there is far more to the show than just that. It is extremely well-written with a lot of charming and funny lines. I particularly like Linus as "an innocent shepherd", but even Snoopy as a penguin is sure to get a big laugh.
But at the midway point in the programme, the tone changes from quality seasonal fun to something very sincere and deeply held. Linus delivers his heartfelt sermon from the pulpit (the school stage). The Peanuts gang renews its faith (in Charlie Brown, at the very least). The congregation assembled there together raises its collective voice in the recessional hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as we bid them farewell and take our leave. It is these parallels from the church service, I feel, that contribute to the strong emotion many of us experience whenever we view this small triumph of television programming.
Would I say that everything in the story conforms to a higher design conceived by Charles Schulz? I won't hazard a guess, but I do like to feel that he felt a little touch of divine inspiration with this one. -
Polaris_DiB20 December 2005This is the beloved classic! This is the tender, caring Charlie Brown Christmas that keeps the family warm holiday season after holiday season! What is Christmas about? Why is everything becoming so commercial? These questions were asked back in 1965, and the answers hit the nail right on the head. Today, the meaning is just that much more impactful because, frankly, today is even more commercial and soulless than 1965.
The writing is typical Peanuts wry, and is well-placed by the children actor's voices. Having children do children voices is actually kind of rare, but this shows it shouldn't be: they do really well and it's touching to hear them.
The animation itself is starting to get a bit dated and is a little slow/jerky, but considering the belovedness of this classic... people are either going to get offended at the mention of that fact or will claim that it doesn't matter. So there you go. It's enjoyable anyways.
And, of course, Snoopy rules.
--PolarisDiB -
djcareless27 November 2007While many people have fond memories of this CBS special, I'm not so sure this holds up well some 40 years later. Poor voice acting, even worse animation (could they have spent a few more dollars here, network execs?) and a mean-spirited plot detract from the overall message. In the year 2007, who is the target audience? It cannot be children, as they would be easily bored and confused; only hardcore Peanuts fans need apply. The only saving grace for me is the great soundtrack. Now don't get me wrong; I'm all about reliving childhood cartoons, especially when it is with your own children. But like a 40 year-old fruit cake, this one just isn't as good as you may have remembered.
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Along with the following year's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", are there any other programs that qualify as the most watched shows of all time? Almost from the beginning of this one's 1965 Christmas season debut, it's been a staple of annual television viewing almost without interruption. I've probably seen it a dozen times myself when I was younger, and as new generations of kids are born, parents and grandparents have the advantage of watching it all over again with their families. I hadn't seen it for a long time until I called it up from my local library the other day, and the story still resonates with the true meaning of Christmas in a way that most modern day stories don't even come close. I also took note of a couple items I wasn't aware of before, like 'pantophobia' as the fear of everything (Thank you, Lucy), and a Peanuts Gang character I never knew by name reading the comic strips all these years, the girl with the naturally curly hair; that was Frieda. Perhaps my fondest recollection of the story is Vince Guaraldi's memorable tune, 'Linus and Lucy', and of course the transformation of Charlie Brown's sickly Christmas tree into a work of art by the Peanuts folks. The story is topped off with a reverent rendition of 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' by all the gang, and is just a fitting way to celebrate every Christmas that comes along. This is a holiday staple I will never get tired of.
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mskdm2010 December 2004One of the best Holiday movies of all time, I wonder why it's not on the AFI top 100 list?
****CAUTION SPOILERS*** THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH TELLS THE READER WHAT THE MOVIE IS ABOUT, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW, PLEASE DON'T READ ANY FURTHER.
In case you haven't seen the movie, here is how it goes. Charlie Brown (a local boy who seems to fail in everything he does), is upset because no one has given him a Christmas card, plus all of his friends seem to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. All his sister wants for Christmas are toys, she says, "I want what's coming to me." Charlie buys a tiny Christmas tree for the Christmas play, but it's made fun of by his friends. Fed up with everybody, Charlie finally yells, "Does anyone know the true meaning of Christmas?" What happens next is one of the best scenes in a Christmas movie ever! Charlie's friend stands up and announces to everyone in the room the true meaning of Christmas, quoting from the Bible. -
dantown20 May 2006Charlie Brown saved my little soul. I assume I have one. Talk amongst yourselves. In 1965, my parents were transitioning from college graduates and fine people to bereft psychically-crippled people who were dysfunctional relicts living in Appalachia, with no direction, and a hellish road to nowhere. They were hung/strung out to dry by company policies which had no category for " special cases in need of emergency psychological help". Then came Charlie Brown's Christmas. What a great gift to me. A cool jazz soundtrack, and a hopeful story. This cartoon sings. It is a true work of art, however minor in the grand scheme of life. It is relentlessly hopeful. A child of ten needs a relentlessly hopeful message before hydra-headed reality descends upon him. Reality is negotiable, once you reach the age of majority. A life of crime is a choice for example. A life of accomplishment is also a choice. Charles Schultz's brilliant cartoon gave me a choice in the midst of my parents' psychic nightmare. I thank Charles Schulz. He saved my life.
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jeanne-evans21 December 2022It's a show about the commercialism of Christmas. Quaint, old fashioned, a classic since 1965, and some of the best Christmas music you'll ever hear. There have been years I've truly identified with Charlie Brown and wondered why there's so much hustle and bustle over getting the right present instead of celebrating what the season is really about.
Now I'm 65 and I've watched this show every year since it's been on the air. It's part of my Christmas traditions. That is until this year. This year Apple TV has the rights to A Charlie Brown Christmas. And if I want to watch it I have to subscribe to Apple TV Plus.
10 stars for the show zero stars for Apple TV. -
Hitchcoc9 December 2014Unlike simple video presentations, this timeless Christmas offering is bit of comfort food as much as it is a piece of Americana. Charile Brown searches for the meaning of Christmas, running into the utter commercialism we all deride (yet we fill up the shopping malls anyway). Charlie (who is abused at every turn) takes on the role of the director a Christmas play, much to the disdain of his peers. They continually refer to him as a blockhead. Even his dog enters a Christmas lighting contest, turning his doghouse into a showplace. As time passes, the din of the season overwhelms our young hero to where he can't stand it anymore. He must seek out the true meaning of the holiday. This is a precious offering, utilizing one of the most recognizable soundtracks in all of cinema, and seems to give us a little boost at the holiday season. See it an grab a little childhood.
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diac22828 November 2006There are fewer more touching moments in a child's life than spending Christmas around a Christmas tree surrounded by the ones he/she loves. Unfortunately though, people grow up, things change, things must be done, and the older you are, the harder it is to have that bond on that special night. Then there are things that take you back to the good old days, moments that will spew memories and heartfelt incidents of the past that can bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. One of these "things," is A Charlie Brown Christmas. With a message that holds just as strong today as it did back then, when it first aired to surprising controversy, the first Peanuts special remains the most special, the highest-acclaimed, the most popular, and indeed the best one of the bunch. Airing every single year since 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas rose from surprise award-winning success, to an American tradition.
Despite the technical hiccups, despite the obvious errors, despite the choppy animation, extremely small budget, and also the bad sound mixing, the message in this Christmas special is strong, the content is funny and light-hearted, and overall its absolutely perfect for any family. To this day, the only thing that has changed is the Coca-Cola product placement, which was scattered throughout the cartoon. Everything else remains intact, even after over 40 years, at the request of the late Charles M. Schultz, who was able to put his magical touch to the production, and also was the man behind the most cherished moment of the cartoon, Linus reciting the Bible. Funny how such a successful cartoon had so much skepticism surrounding it prior to its first appearance on television; CBS was afraid of its Biblical undertones, lack of a laugh track, and lack of professional actors. Meanwhile, the executive producers were sure it was going to flop.
Based off the world-famous comic strip Peanuts, and written with a flawless jazz score by the now-legendary Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas follows Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas. After revealing his depression, Lucy offers a job as director for the Christmas play. As director though, the other kids are sure he's not meant for the job, not even Snoopy, his pet approved. Then upon choosing a broken Christmas tree, he becomes ridiculed. In the meantime, he is trying to shun off the commercialism that has invaded the neighborhood, including his sister and even his dog Snoopy. You should know the rest of the story. Otherwise, I pity your childhood.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is an example of substance totally overpowering the style. It was choppy, it was poorly edited, there was obviously no money around to fix it. But, its simple, rough style made it a hit with kids and adults. For the kids, it was the world's most popular comic strip at the television, with all the humor and excellent content from the newspapers. We see Snoopy dancing, Lucy flirting, Linus with his blanket, Schroder playing the piano, and good ol' Charlie Brown making unpopular decisions. As for the adults we have the style of animation that they grew up with; very simple, very rough-edged, very cheap, and with enough adult and pop-culture humor to work.
This wonderful blend of humor is something not seen in most children's programming, it was usually aimed at kids, and only at kids. A Charlie Brown Christmas follows the formula of The Flintstones, and the technique works like a charm. It wasn't tasteless fun, it was sugar-sweet and totally clean for everyone to watch. Clocking in at a short 25 minutes, it never drags, and then to top it all off, we have one of the best jazz scores ever composed for television. Containing the now-popular "Linus and Lucy" theme, and a constant laid-back, smooth, underwhealming jazz score throughout, A Charlie Brown Christmas cannot only be seen, but can also be heard in radio stations across the nation playing Christmas music.
Commercialism has indeed taken over the world, and the true meaning of Christmas is dead in this day and age. There is the battle to get the latest toy, to get the latest stuff, to earn cash, to have the prettiest tree and the nicest lights. The bitter and harsh social commentary from the cartoon and Charles M. Schultz stands true today, but back then it was Schultz treading on thin ice by doing whatever he can to deliver this important message. After much debate and arguing, the true meaning of Christmas is revealed, the Bible is quoted, the moral is delivered, and the deed Shultz all along had wanted to accomplish, was done. Where is Baby Jesus in Christmastime nowadays? Back then, this subject was totally taboo. Nowadays, it's a message constantly pressed-on by movies and television shows. But, the original Christmas special that started it all did not shove the message down your throat, it was presented calmly, towards the end, after all the humor is settled and the climax is reached. The timing of Linus' monologue could not have been any better.
Bottom Line: Prior to a Charlie Brown Christmas, all Christmas specials were aimed at kids, did not have a moral, and just told a fictatious story about Santa Claus or Rudolph or Jack Frost. A Charlie Brown Christmas single-handedly broke all the rules, forever changed the genre of Christmas specials, and delivers one of the strongest messages and commentaries in a television production ever. Everything technical about this feature was off and could have been more polished; but the content, the delightful cast of characters, the magnificent writing, realistic voice work, and the classic moments overcasts the technical shortcomings, and brings us the true meaning of Christmas. Its not just a special, it has become a part of television history, a part of the Christmas season, and should forever be watched by generations of families for years to come. -
rebeljenn7 November 2005If you have heard of Charlie Brown (who hasn't?) and haven't seen it before, this is a good film to get you started. It is my personal favourite of the Charlie Brown stories.
As the title suggests, this is the popular Christmas story. The Peanuts gang are putting on a play, and Charlie Brown's responsibility is to get the Christmas tree. It doesn't turn out quite like the gang expected, but the moral of the story is to learn the true meaning behind Christmas.
Like all Charlie Brown cartoons, the animation is a little dated and minimal. The dancing scenes are compromised of a few movements in an animation loop. The Christmas tree gains and loses branches. However, the animation is cute and funny in its own way.
I must also credit this Christmas special in its wonderful use of Christmas music with the famous 'Christmas-time is Here' tune by the Peanuts Gang (Vince Guaraldi Trio). Excellent.
I'd recommend this film as an introduction to Charlie Brown. If you really like it, then go watch some of the others. -
Christmas-Reviewer5 December 2016I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.
BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE
A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez.
In the special, lead character Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas.
This special seems not only get better with age but, it also gets better each time you see it.
There is many pop culture references that have sprung from this special. The most popular is "A Charlie Brown Tree".
If its been some time since you last saw this then watch it again. Better yet buy the DVD. The Abc Broadcast cuts a few things. A DVD is worth the money! -
bob the moo29 December 2008It is Christmas time but somehow Charlie Brown still cannot relax and be happy. All he sees around him is the commercialisation of the season and this only serves to stress him out more. While he carries on his search for the real meaning of Christmas, Lucy pressures him into becoming the director of the doomed Christmas play.
I was preparing some Christmas films for Christmas day and recorded this off TV. The plan was to have festive films running in the background of the flat while we went about our day but we ended up watching this while waiting for the turkey to finish. This short film is highly praised on its IMDb page but the first thing that hits you is how dated it is. The animation is of course old but the delivery is the most telling aspect as it has pauses between sentences and doesn't have the fast pace one would attribute to modern animated films. This is not a criticism though, just an observation because this is part of the film's charm and also part of it having the nostalgia value that I suspect it will have to the vast majority of those that praise it on this page.
It is never a hilarious film, which again is part of it being dated, but it is occasionally amusing, my favourite line being Lucy's desire for Christmas gift being real estate. So what makes it worthy of note then, other than it being part of Peanuts? Well, for me what makes it a great piece of my Christmas Day was how refreshingly clear of cynicism it all was. With its snowy scenes and its simple message of Christianity as the reason for Christmas it does feel clean and warming. While many modern films would hint at the Christmas story, this film comes out and delivers it as the reason for the season again without a hint of irony or postmodern wryness that it would be delivered with today. OK I can understand this will not be to everyone's tastes but it is warming and makes one nostalgic on a day that really is all about nostalgia and childhood memories.
The music is good as well, for both Peanuts fans and also viewers of Arrested Development as it reminds of a joke in the latter. It does look dated and certainly the content is far from modern but this is all part of the charm as it is an amusing and cynicism-free seasonal tale. -
Pjtaylor-96-13804415 December 2022'A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)' feels decidedly contemporary, taking a relatively unexpected approach to its material by focusing on a depressed Charlie Brown as he grapples with the disparity between how he's feeling and how everyone tells him he should be feeling around the holidays. The short isn't bleak, but it has a really melancholic undertone - or, perhaps, overtone - and its vibe is a little strange overall. Still, it has plenty of smile-inducing moments, which mainly arise thanks to the frankness and beyond-their-years nature of most of the characters. It ends on a hopeful note of overtly religious Christmas cheer, which is a bit of a surprise considering how divorced the season is from its 'birth of Jesus' roots in most mainstream media. It's interesting to see that even back in 1965 there was a sense that the holiday was too commercial for its own good, something which is only more pertinent today and is yet another reason that this has remained such an enduring Christmas classic. The piece is really enjoyable and interesting overall, with a cute aesthetic and convincing voicework. Its approach to the material is distinct and its message is nice, if a little heavy-handed.
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BushLiedMarinesDied6 December 2006The hero, Charlie Brown, supposedly is disappointed at the comercialisation of Christmas. Funny how in the original the Coca Cola logo appeared so prominently! This has been edited out & the recent versions don't show this blatant comercialism at all. A slight improvement, but not much.
What I dislike about this cartoon so much makes for a long list. First of all is the poor animation, then there's the wooden voices of the kids reading the lines, then there's the sappy story line, the cheap music & finally the screechy singing.
On 2 occasions there's music the characters on screen are supposedly dancing too, but the actions bear no resemblance to the sounds. The animation is also spastic & repetitive. I am reminded of a spoof I once saw (I can't recall who made it) with a cartoon Super Hero called "Cheap-o Cartoon Man". I have to say Charlie Brow's Christmas is actually worse on all the points lampooned in Cheap-o Cartoon Man.
I don't know what people see in this, the story line is sappy &, as usual, the sentimentality is layered on thickly to cover the mindless theme. Some seem to think it a classic, but I cannot agree. It is obviously as cheaply & poorly done as possible without rendering it unwatchable & it shows. The original version, with prominent advertising, even undermines the message it supposedly tries to convey.