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Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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66 reviews in total

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27 out of 29 people found the following review useful:
The ultimate Christmas special, 24 September 2000

Author: Mario Rodgers from San Antonio, TX

There are many Christmas specials and movies involving Christmas. Some are good. Some are average. And some are just plain bad. But Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer shall remain the king of all Christmas specials. All the characters are wonderful and memorable, and Burl Ives is just perfect for the snowman, who sings those unforgettable songs. A must see every Christmas.

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24 out of 26 people found the following review useful:
The Ultimate TV Christmas Classic, and God Bless Burl!, 4 August 1999
Author: BobLib from Cherry Hill, New Jersey

I've seen and loved all of the great Rankin/Bass Christmas shows, and I have most of them on video, but this first one, "Rudolph," is still the best, and still the one that holds the warmest memories for me.

In terms of Holiday atmosphere, it can't be beat. The late Johnny Marks' songs are all winners, and "Rudolph" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" are now firmly established Christmas classics. And holding it all together is Burl Ives' warm, friendly singing and narration. His sincerity and joviality just naturally make you want to "pull up an ice block and lend an ear." I'm now 41 years old, I know all the dialogue practically by heart, and yet I still watch "Rudolph" practically every Christmas. And, what's more, I still love it.

Finally, a word to Julie Landry, of Orlando, on her review. I myself was dyslexic as a child. And yes, I got picked on because of it. But, in deference to your opinion, I see "Rudolph" as a story of how even a perceived outsider can fit in. As a successful Senior Librarian today, I'm living proof that outsiders can succeed. But, then, Rudolph proved that long before I did.

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18 out of 19 people found the following review useful:
the one we all remember from childhood., 4 January 2006

Author: dav07dan02 from spokane, usa

Directors: Kizo Nagashima, Larry Roemer; Story: Robert May; Script: Romeo Muller; Producers: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin

Rudolph is more then a Christmas special, it is a holiday tradition. I always look forward to the special time during the Christmas season when I can watch this. This beloved special is one of the few things that brings back my childhood. Most children today enjoy watching this as much as their parents did when they were little. On the DVD's introduction, producer Arthur Rankin states that Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer has been reportedly viewed by over a billion people worldwide. It is perhaps second only to The Wizzard of Oz as being the most viewed programme of all time.

Rudolph is the first of a line of Christmas specials that were produced by Rankin and Bass and written by Romeo Muller. Some of the others are: The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Frosty the Snowman (1969),and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) as well as Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) and Puff, The Magic Dragon (1978). It is hard to imagine all these classic specials being the creation of one man. Mr. Muller is Mr. Christmas!

The origins of Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer stem from the song written by Johnny Marks back in the 1930's or 1940's. A Max Fleischer cartoon short was made in 1948 with Robert May creating its story. However, the Rankin and Bass Christmas special is based on the Johnny Marks song but other than that, it is all the creation of Romeo Muller. Hermey the elf, Sam the snowman, Yukon Cornelius, Claurice, the head elf are all Muller's creations. Even Rudolph's personality is created by Muller. In the 1948 cartoon Rudolph does not talk.

I have always liked Burl Ives as both a singer and an actor. His part as Sam the Snowman is my favourite by him. All the people behind the scenes doing the voices were all talented. They used stop motion animation with moving puppets just like they did with King Kong. Rudolph is a timeless classic that bring me back to the simpler time of childhood every time I watch it. I hope my small children will enjoy it to.

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24 out of 32 people found the following review useful:
A Christmas Ritual, 8 October 1998

Author: Esperite from United States

Must-see Christmas children's TV. Come Thanksgiving week, I find myself checking TV Guide to make sure I don't miss it.

The little cottage in the Land of Misfit Toys continues to be my vision of 'coziness'...

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16 out of 22 people found the following review useful:
christmastacular, 4 February 2002

Author: buyjesus from cathy's room in amherst

perhaps the best of the early rainker/ bass productions, Rudolph and the tale of the island of misfit toys is classic, nearly flawless with great original songs. there is little better to get into the holiday spirit. the animation is a little bizarre and perhaps even a little frightening for young kids, which may explain why they don't show it as much. or maybe it's because it lacks flash and pizazz and all that showy junk that passes for entertainment on tv nowadays. Give me this stuff anyday. the only problem i have is the fact that they make santa and all the other reindeer out to be such b*****ds. If I were Rudolph, I wouldn't let santa use me as his tool, I'd tell him to cram it. Of course that's just my opinion.

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11 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
Charlie in the Box, 16 October 1999
Author: gazzo-2 from United States

Oh this one is great! I loved it as a kid, and must admit to being scared of the Abominable when he showed round age 5 or so. The parts with Herbie doing the 'Oink oink oink' routine and with Yukon Cornelious are a Scream! (One of my cousins reminds me of Yukon, actually...)

There are some terrific vignettes here-the iceberg drifting off into the northern lights, the Beasts' roaring echoing all round, the Island of Misfit Toys(Charlie in the Box is the best!)...'Bumbles Bounce!'...

Who can not like this? Plus Burl Ives, the one and only. This one will still be shown long after the Beavises of the world are gone.

*** outta ****, a definate watch. +

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7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
simply wonderful, 31 March 2006

Author: rebeljenn from Bath, England

Christmas would not be the same without this wonderful story, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'. This film, narrated by talking snowman voiced by Burl Ives, is a claymation which tells Rudolph's story. It's a children's film, but it is one that adults can enjoy too because it is a cute film, and it offers nastalgic value. It also has a few classic Christmas songs; combine that with a good story and the warmth and happy ending, and you have the perfect Christmas family film. This film was one of my favourites as a child, and I still love it today. Excellent; I wish they made them more like this. I cannot fault this film in any way.

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6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
A Must See During Christmas!, 21 December 2006

Author: telltime from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Great story that truly brings back childhood memories. Growing up in the 70s, this show was a staple of the Christmas season and always showed up on television, along with a few others and some classic Christmas commercials (before Christmas became a dirty and discriminating word).

Yes, like other posters have commented, the animation/claymation/whatever it's called is dated. There are no fancy computer generated special effects, and some comments made would be frowned upon in "today's society." But perhaps that is one of the things about this show that makes it so appealing. I appreciate that this was top technology for the times (and I like that it doesn't have all the "scary" animations that some of today's shows have). Also, I can appreciate that any "sexist" remarks made (such as the men "protecting the women folk" - there was actual chivalry back then!) were made in a time when this was acceptable to the censors, but cursing and on-screen violence/sex/etc. wasn't. So does that make our times better or worse than those just 20ish years ago? I also want to set the record straight... Santa does apologize to Rudolph before he needs him to guide his sleigh. It is a brief apology right after Rudolph returns. Santa says something like "I was a little to rough on you. I guess we all were." Some people have commented that by today's standards, they find this "too lame" of an apology. Again, I say that times have changed, and not necessarily for the better. People today are less willing to forgive and, instead, seek revenge. Imagine if Rudolph would have said "stuff it, Santa." Kids throughout the world would have suffered because of his anger and resentment. Instead, he took a higher road and became a hero. Even the final words of the song tells of him going down in history.

Finally, my son and daughter love it. They are both very young, and the things that would be criticized by the P.C. police out there go straight over there heads (and I don't believe in the whole brainwashing conspiracy theory). It's a simple story that isn't so frightening that it makes them run from the room in tears. It also ends on a cheerful note and they love the music.

As a kid and even as a teenager, I loved to see it on T.V. after Thanksgiving. It was one of the seasonal shows that meant Christmas was coming. Now, since all T.V. seems to show are reality shows or night time soap operas that are not family appropriate, I will continue to play the DVD for my kids anytime they would like to see it between Thanksgiving and Christmas... and I will delightfully watch it with them.

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6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Rudolph is Part of the Fabric, 3 December 2004
Author: njshorewriter from United States

This version of Rudolph has transcended the simple childhood fantasy originally intended, becoming a visible part of our popular holiday culture. The sound track, which included new tunes for my generation are now woven into the fabric of traditional holiday fare. For me, this film sparks memories. I was on a cub scout trip to gather greens for wreaths and the biggest worry of many of the cubs was if we were going to get home in time to see the premier showing of Rudolph. I was 8 years old and my Mom had bought me a new boy scout hatchet for that outing... Of course she worried I'd cut my fingers and Dad reassured her that I'd be careful with the hatchet. In later years, I suspect there were a few other teens who secretly watched Rudolph (without their peer's knowledge) and in even later years it was great to have some young ones around to lend an excuse to watch the Christmas special. Rudolph has changed over the years. Originally, the commercial breaks during Rudolph's airing included some of Santa's elves from the show. As I recall, they were sledding snowy hills on an electric razor and when it stops short, the tall elf with glasses was thrown and disappeared into a snow drift. The commercials were almost an extension of the show and enjoyable to watch. There was also the change of songs and attitude in the scene where Hermie and Rudolph first meet. In the original I believe they sung the misfit song, which seemed to be an acceptance of their status and they depart in search of independence and a place they can fit in. In early subsequent versions, the fame and fortune song replaced the misfit song which seemed to create a more defiant attitude towards their lot in life. Perhaps that defiance fit into the 1960's best. In any event, the misfit song was back on the most recent showing and Hermie and Rudolph lamented their status once again. I'm not complaining about the changes… I've done a little changing myself in the last 40 years. So I split some kindling (believe it or not) with that same old boy scout hatchet Mom bought me so many years ago and I smiled at her ancient worries... all ten digits remain happily in place. The fireplace was casting a nice glow and my granddaughter and I watched Rudolph. My granddaughter is not quite two and she toddled to the television screen and touched the image of thin Santa who won't eat for Mrs. Klaus and then she turned to me and smiled. One more memory for life… like I said, this film has transcended what it was meant to be.

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7 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
question?, 23 November 2006

Author: kimberlysue55324 from United States

This Christmas show has been my favorite ever since I was a little girl - I was born the year it came out and I never missed it until I was well into my 20s. Sometimes I had to fight my sisters to get the TV the night it was on, but I always seem to win (being the oldest has it's rights!) But in the past few years, my sister and I have been wondering about the doll on the island of misfit toys-why is she there? The other toys have things like square wheels, or squirt jelly. We have been watching the show faithfully for about 40 years and although we weren't critical or analyzing the show for the first 20 years (probably!), we have been watching more critically the last years. Not to criticize, but more closely watching the show.

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