2024 the best christmas movie ever review
Price: $16.96
(as of Dec 09, 2024 14:28:15 UTC - Details)
Grace Bradley (Loretta Swit) is called in to direct the community church's child production of the Christmas play. Unfortunately, this is the year the six Herdman children--the dirtiest, most feared neighborhood kids--decide to bully themselves into the lead roles. Barbra Johnson wrote the teleplay based on her novel for this 1978 TV broadcast that has become a favorite over the years. A 9-year-old Fairuza Balk makes her debut as Grace's daughter and narrates the story centering on the seemingly parentless troupe of ragtag ruffians. Of course, the town believes the play is hopelessly lost, but this is Christmas Eve and miracles do happen. Kids can find meaning in the Bible's tale and the Herdmans certainly can bring a fresh take on the age-old story. Not as rambunctious or preachy as later modern-day Christmas tales, the less-than-an-hour production stays away from giving anyone his or her comeuppance and is easily digestible for the whole family (Doug Thomas).
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
Package Dimensions : 7.4 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches; 5.6 ounces
Run time : 49 minutes
ASIN : B00005OCR8
Reviewer: Tatsachen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Special Christmas movie
Review: This made for TV movie based on the book by Barbara Robinson does not feature the best actors or technical credits. In fact, some of the actors appear to be amateurs and the film, shot in Canada, was probably done on a barebones budget. But if you are the kind of viewer that can look beyond these shortcomings and you would enjoy a Christmas themed film with a deeper message than most of the typical irreligious holiday fare, then you may appreciate this movie. Second, because the story is set in a time significantly different from our own (although not that long ago), it provides some thought-provoking commentary on where we are headed as a society.The story is a cheerful comedy about the annual Christmas program at a typical small town/small-city church. The most feared family of young troublemakers in the community, the six Herdman siblings, take it into their heads to start attending Sunday School because of the free food. As a result, they hear about the upcoming Christmas pageant and decide they want all the major roles--Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men and the lead angel. The other children are so frightened of them that they don't try for these parts themselves, leaving the lead roles to the Herdmans. The Herdmans turn out to be completely ignorant of the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus. Their ignorance of the Bible and their rough ways make everyone in the church fear that the pageant will be a riotous failure. But the Herdmans hear the Christmas story with fresh ears and open hearts, transforming the routine and humdrum Christmas pageant in the process.There is a profound and very old truth at the heart of this story--that it is often the social outcasts and misfits who best appreciate the coming of Jesus that is celebrated at Christmas. They are the ones who recognize their need for a Savior, as they are not self-satisfied and complacent because of their abilities, achievements, wealth, education and activities. Everyone except for the Herdmans are too familiar with the Christmas story, to the point that they miss its real meaning. But because the Herdmans catch a glimpse of the real wonder and power of the birth of Jesus, the Christmas pageant is transformed for the entire church.My daughter was in a children's theater production of this drama. Many of the children in her play were like the Herdmans in one regard---they were not familiar with the basic Bible stories, including the Nativity. What has changed since this story was written is that it has become the norm for families to not attend church and to raise their families in complete ignorance of the Bible, whether as a religious text or simply one of the great foundational writings of human history. This development makes the story dated in that less viewers appreciate, let alone understand, the contrast between the Herdmans and their neighbors. Skipping the obvious question of what Biblical illiteracy means for our society, I am at least comforted by the record of the Herdmans. Perhaps more people in our day will hear the Christmas story with honest interest and open ears, considering whether or not the baby Jesus came into this world for their benefit.
Reviewer: Jennifer S.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Still a valuable story
Review: I remember this fondly from my days growing up in the '80s. Now I refer to it in my lectures about worship design and the power of the art form of drama for its audience and participants. However, there are more lessons than that for Christians about how to do church as a community. Therefore, it was important to me to collect it on DVD.
Reviewer: wrb1952
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best
Review: This is such an adorable movie.
Reviewer: ANNA
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Movie
Review: Have been looking for this movie its a great Christmas story
Reviewer: Marjie Davis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great movie
Review: This movie really follows along the book!
Reviewer: Nana3boys
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: BEST CHRISTMAS STORY OF LAUGHTER, TEARS & MESSAGE
Review: This book has been read at every family gathering every year for the past 25 years. Our now-grown children have carried on this tradition. It's a story about family and people we all, more than likely, know. The reason for the celebration of Christ's birth is made clear in a way that children and adults of all ages will understand and appreciate. Heartwarming through and through.
Reviewer: Christopher
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: For kids, great. For adults, nostalgic.
Review: I loved this movie when I was a kid. It was one of the first movies I recorded on vhs tape. I watched it so many times I had every line memorized. I was thrilled to see it on dvd and so I purchased it for Christmas. Well, alot of time has gone by and those old feelings towards this movie didn't quite return. For me, this film is now a piece of nostalgia with some laughs, but not much more. Don't get me wrong, as far as made for tv Christmas flicks, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is better than most.The storyline is decent. This movie is about a family of impoverished children who are rough, tough and know nothing about the bible. Well, they soon take part in a Christmas play with perfectly well dressed, polite Christian children and adults. This story is made for laughs, and the dialogue is very funny. Though this movie feels dated, it will make the audience laugh.If you have children or want to be nostalgic, this movie is worth it.
Reviewer: Pam
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Awesome!
Review: Would give more stars if they were available! Great story!
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Everyone should watch and enjoy this story.
Reviewer: Marlene Dwyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The story yet!!!
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Wonderful little movie, still prefer the book as the movie just doesnât have the same emotional pull at the end
Reviewer: Iamh
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: So glad to get this as our old VHS copy has sadly given up the proverbial ghost ...