The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Awesome Movie

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Although maybe non-religious, non-Christian viewers might not embrace it, I think this Rankin/Bass stop motion animation special does have a nice little message about how poisonous hate can be and how enlightenment can come from losing it when you have love in its place. Orphan boy, Aaron (Eccles), lost his home and parents to cruel bandits, which has brewed a hatred for all humans. His drum present from his beloved parents and sticks to pound them rhythmically have enabled him to develop a magic relationship with a camel, sheep, and lamb that follow him across the lonely desert of Israel during the Virgin Mary's pregnancy with Christ. The Star of David in the sky, Aaron encounters a no-good, greedy showman, Ben Haramed (Ferrer) and his clumsy, obedient partner as they force them to perform in the hopes of a hefty payday. But Aaron isn't wearing any smile and his attitude regarding mankind doesn't endear him to crowds. Soon they meet kings who are following the Star as it guides them to the birthplace of Christ where Joseph and Mary are, the manger scene in its entirety, and Aaron will see, after his sheep is trampled by the hire of a Roman soldier, under stampeding chariot, that desperate love for his pet can conquer hate. It is Christian in tone and presentation so those not in favor of its story and conclusion at the manger, when the light of baby Jesus offers assistance to the dying sheep, might not take to this one. I thought it had good animation and fun voicework with Haramed quite a villain, snatching Aaron and his pets, expecting them to entertain so he can line his pockets.

Christmas special based on the song of the same name. Narrated by the great Greer Garson, it tells the story of an orphan boy named Aaron. Aaron has had a tough life and is resentful towards humanity. His only friends are animals and his only joy in life comes from playing his drum. Through a series of events he finds himself at the birth of baby Jesus. As in the song, he has no gift for the baby so he plays his drum instead. I love Rankin/Bass Christmas specials. The stop-motion animation, great voice work, memorable music, and beautiful stories make them timeless classics that I can watch year after year. The Little Drummer Boy is a moving, sincere story and I would recommend everybody check it out.

Our story stars a little drummer boy who is at home with animals more than people as people pretty much made a mess of his life. He is drawn into the nativity story in order to try and find a way to cure his hate and distrust of others.I know the synopsis is short but it's a short film. I mean really and truly it's one of those films that you show in Sunday school to bring in the cool meaning of Christmas to the children. The movie had a song or two that seemed interesting like the song "When the goose is hanging high" is a very fun song and truly enjoyable to hear the story itself is simple and the voice acting is pretty bad. All in all if you are looking for something to show your children that would be similar to your church Christmas pageant then this is the thing.

Hey, Lets say we have a roving band of dangerous nomads roaming the desert, brutally murdering people, stealing all of their possessions and leaving their young son to fend for himself in a cruel world. Perfect recipe for a Christmas Special. This one didn't stay as a network staple very long as it was not the happy nice nice special that Rudolph and Charlie Brown were .To Be honest I have liked this since I was a kid. It wasn't as good as the other Rankin/Bass specials but it was the only one of them that really has anything to do with the Jesus. Lot of emotion at the end. You end up glad that you watched it.