A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

• Year: 1965
• Released: 09 Dec 1965
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Won 1 Primetime Emmy. 2 wins & 3 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059026/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_charlie_brown_christmas
• Available in: 2160p, 720p, 1080p
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: TV-G
• Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
• Runtime: 25 min
• Writer: Charles M. Schulz
• Director: Bill Melendez
• Cast: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer
• Keywords: christmas, holiday, tree,

	8.3/10
	84% – Critics
	86% – Audience

A Charlie Brown Christmas Storyline

Christmastime is here, and Charlie Brown knows that he should be happy, but he isn’t. He also knows that commercialism is the problem – even manifesting itself within his own family as seen by younger sister Sally’s Christmas letter to Santa, and Snoopy entering a Christmas decorating contest with a cash prize – but he doesn’t know what to do about it. When Lucy suggests that he direct the Christmas play, Charlie Brown hopes to find the true meaning of Christmas in the process. But that doesn’t seem to be working. One of the last pieces for the play is to get a Christmas tree as the set centerpiece. Charlie Brown, with Linus is tow, takes on the task himself, with all of his cast wanting him to pick out a nice aluminum tree. Instead, Charlie Brown chooses a small, sickly looking real tree that he believes needs some tender loving care. Although it is the exact opposite of what his cast asked him to get, it may act as that symbol to bring the true meaning of Christmas back into everyone lives, with a little help from a speech by Linus.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie Reviews

It’s great……

…….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.

****

Perfection…and as important as egg nog and mistletoe for the holidays

This might just be the best kid’s Christmas special ever. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE Christmas are very, very close but I think I’d give this film the nod for two major reasons. First, the music by Vince Guaraldi is amazing–and one of the best sound tracks ever. Second, Charles Shultz insisted that this Christmas special actually talk about the REAL meaning of Christmas–with a reading from Luke of the Christmas story. Oddly, studio executives were apparently worried this might offend people! Imagine the gall of mentioning Jesus in a Christmas story!! This special is also amazing because it was the first Charlie Brown cartoon and subsequent films using the characters never quite matched this first great film and its success led to these other Peanuts films.

To coin the phrase: Timeless classic!

I love Christmas, and I love Charlie Brown and Snoopy, so this childhood favourite is a real treat for those reasons alone. But there is more to A Charlie Brown Christmas than those reasons. It is very powerful and touching, not to mention quite deep come to think of it. Is it a little dated? Yeah probably, but that isn’t a bad thing I don’t think. Even if it was dated, I think that adds to this special’s charm. The animation is simple, but it is also very colourful and crisp. The music is very nice, and the story is beautifully constructed and sweet. The writing is touching and deep, and the characters especially Snoopy are immensely engaging. I was also surprised at the emotional impact this special brings, it is really quite touching. And of course the voice acting as always is great. Overall, beautiful and perfect for the holiday season. 10/10 Bethany Cox