Yes, Virginia (2009 TV Movie) User Reviews (10)

second tier Christmas special

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 24 September 2016]

Based on an 1897 editorial in The New York Sun, eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon believes in Santa Claus but it seems few others do. Her little brother suggests the skinny vagrant in the dirty Santa suit as the real Santa Claus. Her friends don't believe. She can't find any definitive answer in any book. Her father suggests writing to the newspaper. The editor is dismissive at first but eventually, with the vagrant Santa's urging, writes the iconic editorial.

The animation is second tier even for a TV special. It's a little dirty and grim. The story is really simple. The editorial is where the heart is and a larger portion of it has to be read. Like Linus reciting the biblical passage, the words have great power. This is a lesser level Christmas special but it's very sincere in its sentiment.

The eternal question

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 4 December 2015]

"Yes, Virginia" is an American short film from over 5 years ago, for the holidays 2009, that deals with the (non-)existence of Santa Claus. A bitchy (slightly older) girl tells Virginia, our title character, that Santa Claus is fiction. All her attempts to gain trust in Santa again fail as her parents are fairly helpless too, so she decides to write a letter to a newspaper and ask for a definite answer. Unlucky for her, the newspaper editor is a bit of a Grinch or is he really? This was a solid little film. I liked pretty much all aspects about it, but I wish the animation could have been a bit better, so this film may have delivered more on the emotional side. I am not too sure if I liked the looks of the main character. In terms of voice acting, there is nothing wrong with this movie here. Some fairly famous names in the cast and the lead actress also has some decent experience already despite her age. Even if this 22-minute film did not win an Emmy like a previous version of the story did, it is still a pretty good watch for the holidays. Recommended and especially impressive since the director and writers all have little to no experience in terms of filmmaking. I wish them they can rekindle their careers again.

Sweet, endearing, well-done special!

[jessrobbin · 10/10 · 11 December 2009]

This short (only a 1/2 hour with commercials) telling of the now-well-known letter to the editor of the New York Sun written by 8 yr old Virginia is a well-told and touching special. The animation is great, it is almost claymation-like (similar to a Tim Burton movie). The characters are voiced by entertaining actors, including Neil Patrick Harris and Alfred Molina, as well as Jennifer Love Hewitt and Mike Buscemi (Steve Buscemi's brother). The writing is spectacular (newcomer Chris Plehal delivers a wonderful holiday tale). This was produced and supported by Macy's, but other than a very subtle "RH Macy's" sign in the background of a few scenes, it does not feel forced nor does it scream "product placement." Everyone should add this to their yearly Christmas traditions!

This version of "Yes, Virginia" comes highly recommend from me

[tavm · 10/10 · 25 December 2010]

A few years ago, I reviewed Bill Melendez' animated version of "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" with narration by Jim Backus that I thought was excellent. This one is a new computer animated version partly produced by the Macy's company that differs from the previous one but is no less touching. In fact, making the New York Sun editor, Francis Church-the author of the actual editorial that became famous, express some cynicism before penning his piece brings somewhat of a more dramatic tone that made the thing a little more believable to me. And it was also interesting that the person that made him change his mind was a former employee reduced to being a Santa ringer in order to make money. And Virginia also is more touching as she experiences some self-doubt based on the way an especially snotty girl gets to her. So on that note, I highly recommend "Yes, Virginia".

Up There With The Best Xmas Specials I've Seen In Years.

[Dawalk-1 · 10/10 · 19 December 2011]

When this would make its premiere a couple years back, I wanted to see it, but wasn't able to do so. I was hoping this would air again this year too so that I could finally catch it (and it would, and did), but I tried searching for any video copies of the full special on Google (after finding that Youtube once again only has clips), and I managed to come across it on Veoh. It was there I saw it at last for the first time either the last weekend of last month or the first weekend of this month (I'm not sure). I'd watch it a second time on t.v.

And it is another fantastic holiday special. It has since become a favorite CGI featurette of mine. It's just great and very well done, I love it. To anyone who hasn't already seen it and is reading my review, you won't be disappointed at all.

I just found out that this (and another version in 2D, which I haven't seen yet, but will eventually) is actually inspired by a true story. Basically, it's about a little girl named Virginia O'Hanlon who asks whether Santa Claus is factual or fictional. She sets off to getting to the bottom of finding proof by writing a letter of the inquiry and attempting to send it to the presses. After getting through unsuccessfully at first due to the head of the local gazette company refusing to accept this as more than simply a mere fantasy (which he believes would damage the company's reputation if he allowed the letter to appear in print), Virginia begins having doubts that maybe Santa being non-existent is true after all and that has been right all along. But thanks to some convincing from the scraggly, street Santa, the gazette's head has a change of mind and heart, having second thoughts.

The lesson is having belief in the evidence of something (or someone) isn't necessarily always by sight but by feeling. And if one hangs in there, is persistent and holds out on the belief and hope long enough, that something (or someone) will show up and come to them, all in good time.

Just hunt down the Bill Melendez Special, you're better off seeing that than this rubbish

[cyberfox-479-356710 · 2/10 · 2 October 2016]

I assume most who praised this thing never seen the Emmy winning classic Bill Melendez special "Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus" The Bill Melendez take on the story is more enjoyable than this as it felt believable with the response portrayed with more respect then the Macy's adaptation

the 2009 Macy's adaptation (of which saddens me that this rubbish made the Bill Melendez special fell into obscurity) is bad

Key points 1. It's dated Commercial for Macy's: When the (now obsolete/no longer used) Believeometer is a plot device of the special more so than Virginia's faith in Santa's existence and her letter to Mr. Church, You know we got problems

2. It's a Lifetime Film for Kids: Virginia through the special suffers misery as she's been tormented for her belief in Santa Her friend believe some stuck up little bitch and turn their back on her, same bitch mock her when she sees her letter trashed by Mr. Church - all that to the point of Virginia brought to the point of depression and all it took was a hobo in a Santa suit to restore her faith in Santa by confronting Church and motivate him to make that response

Again, Why this rubbish stuck around and the more enjoyable one ("Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus") fell into obscurity as well as Dollar Store DVD fodder is beyond me

If you like this, To each his own but honestly, If you want your kids to know the legacy of "Yes, Virginia" and the moral it brings - You're better off hunting down Bill Melendez's "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"

Terrific Christmas Present for the Family

[rsternesq · 10/10 · 12 December 2009]

This animated tale is a lovely gift to the whole family. the images are wonderful, the voices delightful and the message is timely and memorable. Little Virginia asks the question #1 kids' Christmas question (hist, is Santa Claus real?) and gets an answer that gladdens all of our hearts as well as hers. I think this is a home run, 4 * are of 4 here. Virginia asked the question years ago and the answer given in 2009 is the same answer she got back then and we have all heard in the years since.

(Spoiler given away in the title and not much of a surprise.) And the answer is YES!

good show

[johnclones · 10/10 · 20 December 2010]

I like this one. there is one point that I want to make. WHen they were talking about Santa in other countries they referred to Santa Claus in Turkey as Haigha Sava. Turks are Moslim and don't celebrate Chrsitmas. Turkey in 2897 had a Christian minority consisting of Greeks, Armeniasn Syrinas Etc. The Turks are 99.9% Mulsim. "Aigha Sava" or St.Sava(Savas) Is a Greek Orthodox Saint from the 4th and 5th century. There was a reference to Santa clause in Japan. The Japanese are 99% Budists. Any Christmas celebrations in these countries is recent. I liked this show and I hope that it is on next year. I like neal patrick harris. This letter that Virginia wrote is often published around Christmas time every year in newspapers and magazines.

A young girl writes to the editor of the NY Sun asking if Santa Claus really exists

[sandiegokidz · 9/10 · 12 January 2012]

This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that is great for the whole family. The animation is very well done and the Believe Meter helps even young kids understand what is happening throughout the story. I understand they used children to voice all of the kids roles and the wonder and delight, as well as the disappointments, clearly came through the roles. The characters are charming and endearing and all of the children who I've seen watch it have loved it. It's a great way to start off the holiday season and we plan on making it a family tradition to help us kick off our holiday cheer. I hope it will remain a holiday tradition for many years to come.

Very good and true

[GMGoodwrenchGirl · 9/10 · 31 December 2019]

I enjoyed this because it is based on a true story. I thought it was entertaining and well done, though yes, it was sponsored by Macy's and does contain some non-verbal references to their store. I don't have an issue with that.

As I recall, this originally aired immediately after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade years ago, but I'm not sure if they still air it on network TV. I ran across it on Tubi this year.

Another reviewer mentioned a version by Bill Melendez...a king of holiday specials in the 60s and 70s...that they said was better. I will definitely look for it since I'm a fan, but for now, I think this version is worth watching and I appreciate the story being told.

There was mention of this being a bit too dark in both ambience and story, but I found it fit fairly realistically with what 1897 NYC would be like. While Virginia got upset at the prospect of no Santa, she regains her belief and spirit, and so do her friends...so it does have a happy end.