Living just down the Hwy from Georgetown, Co...I remember this movie well and thought it was great! The story seems like something John would do even in real life, but there is something that I will always remember most about the movie. For those of you who don't live in Denver...every Christmas, the city of Denver, Co puts up a fabulous display of lights and decorations at the Civic Center in downtown Denver. Well...as it so happened, during the filming of this movie, a Nativity scene was needed. So...it was borrowed from the Civic Center display...with permission, by the way! Someone had forgotten to advice the powers that be, and it was reported stolen! A frantic search began with law enforcement for a few days. Finally, someone spoke up and remembered loaning it to the film crew in Georgetown! It was returned and put back where it belonged! As it turns out...it wasn't featured all that much in the movie...you can barely see it during the Christmas show with the children. It did create quit a disturbance though...
23 Reviews
A family favorite
jplamp4 December 2006
Even if I had never seen or heard of Georgetown, CO, this would be a sweet little movie. But my dad was born and raised there, and those are my uncle's horses you see pulling the sleigh! So this movie is very special to me. A lot of the interiors are shot in buildings and houses I recognize, and are very realistic. The story is a little hokey, but Georgetown is that kind of magical place where things like that COULD happen. John Denver was a better actor than a lot of people give him credit for. Mary Wickes plays the kind of "common-sense lady with a lot of sass" she played so well in many other films, most notably "White Christmas". I usually don't get to go out there in the winter, so I like to see this movie at Christmas time to "tide me over" until my next trip!
Christmas the way it should be?
indy_go_blue4429 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The joy and tragedy of the Christmas Season lies in the fact that it mostly revolves around family. That is why some people call it "the children's holiday." As we age, natural attrition and progress removes the people and the things that gave us our special memories. John Denver, in one of his sweetest roles, plays George Billings, a successful NYC architect and new widower who lost his wife about a year earlier. His life is focused around his 9 year old daughter, Alex; both are still grieving their loss. George is trying his best to make this a special Christmas for his daughter. Enter his boss, Thomas Renfield (roguishly played by the wonderful Col. Flagg of M*A*S*H guy, Edward Winters), who sends George to Georgetown, CO to explore a possible real estate deal. Lying to his daughter that the purpose of the trip is a vacation rather than work, George and Alex fly into town, where they're immediately met by a collection of loving generous but somewhat eccentric group of characters whose main eccentricity is that they all believe in Santa Claus. Georgetown is a picture book community we'd all love to live in and we'd love the people for neighbors. George soon meets a love interest in Susan (Jane Kazmarek.) Were it not for the grinch (Renfield) it would be an ideal time. But the fact is, he is in town to find property for Renfield to develop, and there is a nice ranch near town about to be foreclosed, and the dark edges of the movie revolve around the impending foreclosure and the reactions of the townies, the rancher, and the outsiders. I won't spoil the ending for those who've never seen the movie. It's a typical happy Christmas ending, but it's handled in a fairly subtle and believable way that shows the best in the human spirit without being too syrupy. All in all, this is a most pleasant way to spend a couple of your Christmas TV hours. John Denver and Jane Kazmarek have nice chemistry and Gennie James as Alex does a real nice job. I've always loved the work of Mary Wickes, a recognizable character actress, and all of the other cast members do a nice job with less meaty parts. This is a regular Christmas fare for my family; I rate it 4/5.
Great Christmas Movie
merkelk9 December 2004
I have seen this movie hundreds of times, and it is probably my favorite Christmas movie of all time. I have also been to Georgetown, CO many times,(where the majority of the movie takes place)and it is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen, especially at Christmas time, that's when this little town really comes alive. When you walk down Main Street you can still see most of the buildings that were used in the film, and it gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling. For me Christmas just isn't the same if I'm not in Georgetown; it's the greatest place to spend Christmas. John Denver is great, and I hope that everyone enjoys this film because it's a Christmas classic and a family favorite.
A Christmas movie worth seeing...
weatherwatch14 December 2004
I saw this movie on the Hallmark Channel for the first time. The movie definitely had lots of nice scenery and it did have that old-fashioned Christmas feel to it. The movie does take every opportunity, however, to bash corporate expansion and consumerism, which was a popular cry among the Left in the 1980s, when this film was made. But, overall I would say this is a Christmas movie worth watching and it will help you get into the holiday spirit. After all, most of us could use a break from all of the commercialism during Christmas!
I also should add that Jane Kaczmarek and John Denver both have great performances, as do many of the other actors in the movie. Overall, I give this movie a 6 out of 10.
I also should add that Jane Kaczmarek and John Denver both have great performances, as do many of the other actors in the movie. Overall, I give this movie a 6 out of 10.
The Christmas Gift-what a story for our time
evelynicholson23 November 2006
The GREAT NEWS is that this film is now AVAILABLE on DVD from http://treasureflix.com for all those who wish to own it as well as on video.This is good news as it is one of my favourite films!
I watched this film for the first time in the 80s and it is compulsory holiday viewing. Living in the small market town called Tewkesbury, picturesque and with its own traditions,of reenactments,and traditions we are also a cosy tight community. We are now also faced with large housing developments which threaten to destroy the Community and you can see why I love this film First of all-and most important, there are LASHINGS of snow!!!! Then there is the lovely legend of the Christmas Tree and also the Christian denouement as all the community cough up the money to help the destitute farmer save his farm and stay in the community. The evil developers-only after the money are sent packing as the whole town pledge their money to help protect what they have , which is very special. I love the way the whole community send their message to Santa via the post office which is misunderstood by the hero . He and his daughter have a long journey to make after the death of the wife and mother of the family. (There is a likely candidate for this)-even a sleigh ride and most heartwarming of all is that the taxi driver, whose engine is broken is mysteriously given a new one on Christmas morning and no-one had engineered it! There is a lovely moment where Denver sings a lullaby and an exciting search. Great gentle film for everything Christmas is really about.
I watched this film for the first time in the 80s and it is compulsory holiday viewing. Living in the small market town called Tewkesbury, picturesque and with its own traditions,of reenactments,and traditions we are also a cosy tight community. We are now also faced with large housing developments which threaten to destroy the Community and you can see why I love this film First of all-and most important, there are LASHINGS of snow!!!! Then there is the lovely legend of the Christmas Tree and also the Christian denouement as all the community cough up the money to help the destitute farmer save his farm and stay in the community. The evil developers-only after the money are sent packing as the whole town pledge their money to help protect what they have , which is very special. I love the way the whole community send their message to Santa via the post office which is misunderstood by the hero . He and his daughter have a long journey to make after the death of the wife and mother of the family. (There is a likely candidate for this)-even a sleigh ride and most heartwarming of all is that the taxi driver, whose engine is broken is mysteriously given a new one on Christmas morning and no-one had engineered it! There is a lovely moment where Denver sings a lullaby and an exciting search. Great gentle film for everything Christmas is really about.
A slow story, weak screenplay, and wooden acting
SimonJack4 November 2022
The best thing about "The Christmas Gift" is the scenery in and around Georgetown, Colorado, where it was filmed. John Denver plays a widower dad. He's an architect and takes his daughter on a holiday vacation to scout the small town where his boss can invest a huge chunk of money on real estate development. Instead, he falls for the town and a girl, and it ends happily for the town and everyone but his boss.
Denver is George Billings, Jane Kaczmarek plays Susan Macmillen, and Edward Winter is his boss, Thomas Renfield. The other main characters are Pat Corley as Bud Sawyer, who operates the Busy Bee Taxi company, James T. Callahan as the banker and mayor Robert Truesdale, and Mary Wickes as Henrietta Sawyer.
It would be nice to be able to say more about this film, but it's quite lame. The story is predictable, there's no acting of note, and Denver and Kaczmarek seem wooden most of the time in their roles. And, there's clearly no chemistry or believability in their budding romance. Even with attempts to inject humor, with Bud who owns the Busy Bee Taxi company, this film drags a lot.
There are any number of good Christmas films, dating from the mid-20th century, and including some good comedies and romance films since the late 20th century. This is one of those films where it appears that people who highly favor it wrote comments and reviews, but those who didn't think that much of it just let it go. So, the reviews by themselves present a more skewered picture of the opinions of viewers of this film to date.
As of my writing now, on November 4, 2022, 707 people before me had rated the film. It has an average of 6.5. But of the 22 reviews posted before mine, 13 rated this film 10, 1 rated it a 9, and four rated it an 8. And not another single reviewer rated it below a 6. More than 57% rated it 10, and more than 78 percent rated it 8 or higher. But of all of the 707 who rated the movie to date, less than 29% rated it a 10. That's half the percent of the reviewers who rated it tops. The ratings by the reviewers of this film so far score it far higher than the very best of the Christmas films of all time.
I doubt that many others of those who have seen this film so far and rated it, or that even a small fraction of future viewers will think this film rates up there with the best Christmas movies of all time. "It's a Wonderful Life" of 1946 scores an 8.6 average and as of Christmas 2022, is in 21st place among all IMDb raters to date. It is approaching half a million viewers who have rated the film, but the number that have rated it a 10 so far is just 33%. "Miracle on 34th Street" of 1947 as of now has an average rating of 7.9, with a paltry 19% who rate it 10. "White Christmas" of 1954 in the approaching 2022 Christmas season has an average rating of 7.5, with 25% who rate it a 10. The best Christmas comedies fare no higher with 10 ratings. "It Happened on Fifth Avenue" of 1947 averages 7.6, with 19% rating it a 10. "Christmas in Connecticut" of 1945 averages 7.4, with 16% scoring it a 10. And, "National Lampoon's Chritmas Vacation" of 1989 averages 7.5, with less than 21% rating it a 10.
My 5-star rating is even a stretch for this film. The screenplay and acting just aren't very good, and the plot is so thin. But the scenery, setting and production crafts deserve some recognition.
Denver is George Billings, Jane Kaczmarek plays Susan Macmillen, and Edward Winter is his boss, Thomas Renfield. The other main characters are Pat Corley as Bud Sawyer, who operates the Busy Bee Taxi company, James T. Callahan as the banker and mayor Robert Truesdale, and Mary Wickes as Henrietta Sawyer.
It would be nice to be able to say more about this film, but it's quite lame. The story is predictable, there's no acting of note, and Denver and Kaczmarek seem wooden most of the time in their roles. And, there's clearly no chemistry or believability in their budding romance. Even with attempts to inject humor, with Bud who owns the Busy Bee Taxi company, this film drags a lot.
There are any number of good Christmas films, dating from the mid-20th century, and including some good comedies and romance films since the late 20th century. This is one of those films where it appears that people who highly favor it wrote comments and reviews, but those who didn't think that much of it just let it go. So, the reviews by themselves present a more skewered picture of the opinions of viewers of this film to date.
As of my writing now, on November 4, 2022, 707 people before me had rated the film. It has an average of 6.5. But of the 22 reviews posted before mine, 13 rated this film 10, 1 rated it a 9, and four rated it an 8. And not another single reviewer rated it below a 6. More than 57% rated it 10, and more than 78 percent rated it 8 or higher. But of all of the 707 who rated the movie to date, less than 29% rated it a 10. That's half the percent of the reviewers who rated it tops. The ratings by the reviewers of this film so far score it far higher than the very best of the Christmas films of all time.
I doubt that many others of those who have seen this film so far and rated it, or that even a small fraction of future viewers will think this film rates up there with the best Christmas movies of all time. "It's a Wonderful Life" of 1946 scores an 8.6 average and as of Christmas 2022, is in 21st place among all IMDb raters to date. It is approaching half a million viewers who have rated the film, but the number that have rated it a 10 so far is just 33%. "Miracle on 34th Street" of 1947 as of now has an average rating of 7.9, with a paltry 19% who rate it 10. "White Christmas" of 1954 in the approaching 2022 Christmas season has an average rating of 7.5, with 25% who rate it a 10. The best Christmas comedies fare no higher with 10 ratings. "It Happened on Fifth Avenue" of 1947 averages 7.6, with 19% rating it a 10. "Christmas in Connecticut" of 1945 averages 7.4, with 16% scoring it a 10. And, "National Lampoon's Chritmas Vacation" of 1989 averages 7.5, with less than 21% rating it a 10.
My 5-star rating is even a stretch for this film. The screenplay and acting just aren't very good, and the plot is so thin. But the scenery, setting and production crafts deserve some recognition.
Excellent story for any age anytime. Great actors!
jmccain9 December 2000
This is an excellent movie and should be presented every year during the holidays @ Christmas! Beautiful with great acting. John Denver at his best, i,e, sincere, kind, talented, and natural. The town is Georgetown, Colorado and every bit as lovely as in the story.
A heart warming Christmas film
frbmhs27 November 2007
It was good to see John Denver again though he passed several years ago. I found this film to be very heartwarming and a great film to sit by the fire on a cold winters night recollecting what Christmas is all about. The scenes of Georgetown, Colorado were magnificent and make one want to move there immediately. As I sit here in my own mountain seen in So California I loved the story and the plot. I hope all who see this somewhat older film enjoy it as much as my mother and I did. Merry Christmas! A great film for all the family too see. Enoy and tell others about it. Thanks for the memories. We need to have more films like this come out of Hollywood.
Best Christmas Movie...
ut-vols20 November 2010
I have watched this movie several times on the Hallmark Channel and enjoy it each time I watch it. It is just a heartwarming movie about a time gone by in this age of me, me, me. John Denver is fabulous, as are all the cast of characters, and I do mean "Characters". Georgetown CO is a place I would love to live...where family matters, friends matter, and neighbors look out for and care for each other. And they do this without thought of what it might benefit them. It is truly a movie to be watched as a family. In this day and age of what our children may see or hear in a movie, this one is a safe bet. Hats off to the Hallmark Channel for continuing to broadcast this fine movie!
Heart Warming!!
eaglespiritnews-5694326 December 2018
Beautifully done! This movie is one for your Christmas collection. I had never forgotten this movie over the years. When I found it was available on DVD I had to buy it. Me and my grandson watch it together 3-4 time each Christmas Season. It's one of the most charming Christmas movies I've ever seen. It teaches us what Christmas is really all about... friends, family, and coming together to help a neighbor if need be! Plus this little town has a little light hearted mystique too, including Santa Claus!
It is absolutely a must see film for the whole family.
This is a wonderful movie!
daviannita27 December 2003
I just finished watching the movie tonight and I truly loved it. John Denver didn't play a pastor, but it was the reverend of the little town who decided to leave the floor for John Denver to speak. It's a really great movie with a wonderful Christmas message. It was also fun to watch.
Busy Bee Cab Company, At Your Service.
vsafeswm-6924927 December 2020
Why do we watch christmas movies. My answer would be, for enjoyment during the holiday season. As well as a way to offer that reaffirming value of peace on earth and good will towards our fellow man and woman. George ' the john denver character ' found what he lost and in the process found his redemption along with it.
Nice memories
derjalyn25-441-5250641 November 2020
The Magic of Georgetown
Krzesickij14 December 2006
My Santa Lucia Choir was chosen to be in this movie. All 100 plus. When it came time to film the movie I was asked to chose just 10. Oh my goodness. We had a little gal who went early to have her tonsils out because she wanted to be in the movie. The choices were hard to make. The people of Georgetown are just a lovely as the people that they show in the movie. Gracious, kind, believers. The town sponsors an annual Christmas Market the first two weekend in December every year. I was there this year and it was wonderful. The town is lovely and the people work hard to make it magical. The town appears today as it did when the movie was made. Much credit goes to the Historical Society there that work hard to maintain the historical value. The principal of the school that has been turned into a Charter School was given an award by the Governor of Colorado for Volunteers.
A Gift to all viewers, lovely story, spectacular scenery
inkblot1114 April 2015
George (John Denver) is an architect who works for a very successful developer. A widower, he has a darling daughter, Alex (Gennie Jemes) and both of them are still grieving for their wife and mother, respectfully. So, perhaps a change of scenery would do them both good. Therefore, when George's boss wants him to travel to the small, mountainside village of Georgetown, Colorado, they both go. Its the big boss' idea to buy a foreclosed ranch and begin to develop a ski resort. Yet, when George gets to the place, meets the town folk, and studies the area, the widower realizes the venue would be spoiled by development. He tries to tell his boss this but, the man is more determined than ever to make "his" resort a go. With the help of a lovely postal mistress, Susan (Jane Kaczmarek), can they find away to keep the lovely town as it is? Christmas is the time for miracles, no? This lovely film from the eighties is still a winner for the season. Denver does a nice job and James is just a doll as the daughter. All other cast members, script, and fine direction are very well conceived. Especially fine is the scenery, which is magnificent and was shot in the actual village of Georgetown. No one really gets tired of Xmas films, no matter what time of year, so give you and your family a big gift and find it today.
The gift that has been giving and receiving for three hundred years.
mark.waltz17 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Don't trust a wolf in sheep's clothing, even if it looks as handsome and convincing (and manipulative) as Edward Winter. He's a typical New York bigwig businessman who manipulates architect employee John Denver into heading to Georgetown Colorado to get a lay of the land, forcing him and his motherless children to head there for a new life.
When Denver arrives, he doesn't quite find a community he feels that needs to be changed, especially when he learns their secret of Christmas, involving their original settlers who were given a huge gift after helping needy old man with a long white beard. Denver finds farmers in the middle of foreclosure and a banker desperate to sell, but the hope and the happiness of the people who lives there convinces him that there miracle is real. When Winter arrives, everything is put into disarray, especially with Denver's new girlfriend, local post woman Jane Kaczmarek.
This delightful classic TV Christmas movie is perfect in every way because it expresses the real meaning of Christmas irregardless of one's faith. I'm not a big believer in the Mystique of Santa Claus, but I began to believe as the villagers convinced Denver of the legend and the children who express their delight in giving even more than receiving.
Then there are the heartfelt performances by the three town elders. Mary Wickes, a featured actress in several Christmas classics ("The Man Who Came To Dinner", "White Christmas", among others), Pat Corley ("Murphy Brown") and Anne Haney ("Mrs. Doubtfire") all deliver superb performances. Wickes is particularly touching as she explains her own beliefs in the miracle, and her role is very similar to her Sister Mary Lazarus in the "Sister Act" movies.
A truly enjoyable follow-up for John Denver who starred in the first "Oh God!" movie. Out of nowhere, he breaks into a lullaby for his daughter where he explains his newfound love, not only for Kaczmarek but for the cause he realizes he needs to fight. It seems corny at first, but ends up truly heartfelt and meaningful. it is obvious how the miracle will work out since it was forecast centuries before, but it is certainly delightful to see unfold. Films of hope of this nature are rare, and seeing the bad guy get taken down is always a delight. It may not be "It's a Wonderful Life", but it sure comes close.
When Denver arrives, he doesn't quite find a community he feels that needs to be changed, especially when he learns their secret of Christmas, involving their original settlers who were given a huge gift after helping needy old man with a long white beard. Denver finds farmers in the middle of foreclosure and a banker desperate to sell, but the hope and the happiness of the people who lives there convinces him that there miracle is real. When Winter arrives, everything is put into disarray, especially with Denver's new girlfriend, local post woman Jane Kaczmarek.
This delightful classic TV Christmas movie is perfect in every way because it expresses the real meaning of Christmas irregardless of one's faith. I'm not a big believer in the Mystique of Santa Claus, but I began to believe as the villagers convinced Denver of the legend and the children who express their delight in giving even more than receiving.
Then there are the heartfelt performances by the three town elders. Mary Wickes, a featured actress in several Christmas classics ("The Man Who Came To Dinner", "White Christmas", among others), Pat Corley ("Murphy Brown") and Anne Haney ("Mrs. Doubtfire") all deliver superb performances. Wickes is particularly touching as she explains her own beliefs in the miracle, and her role is very similar to her Sister Mary Lazarus in the "Sister Act" movies.
A truly enjoyable follow-up for John Denver who starred in the first "Oh God!" movie. Out of nowhere, he breaks into a lullaby for his daughter where he explains his newfound love, not only for Kaczmarek but for the cause he realizes he needs to fight. It seems corny at first, but ends up truly heartfelt and meaningful. it is obvious how the miracle will work out since it was forecast centuries before, but it is certainly delightful to see unfold. Films of hope of this nature are rare, and seeing the bad guy get taken down is always a delight. It may not be "It's a Wonderful Life", but it sure comes close.
A must see
coffeetime93 December 2006
This is an excellent movie and I wish that they would put it out on DVD for people to purchase. It is difficult to try to catch it on TV all the time. As you do not know when one of the stations will decide to air it. Can someone tell me what file company make it so I can write to them and see if they will release it to the public? I only caught the last hour and a half yesterday and I only got to see it once last year. My sisters and I are all looking for it in every store that sells any videos. John Denver is an excellent singer and actor and the plot line is great. They put out some much older movies and I think that is great but there are quite a few that they have not put out and I think if we could contact the producers and voice our requests we might get some of them put out on DVD.
where can I find this movie to buy?
pbondville30 December 2006
This movie is my families favorite Christmas movie because it is a beautiful picture of what Christmas is really all about. These days living in a big city which I hate, I love to watch movies about the life I've always dreamed of having. The town that this movie is set in is my dream come true for the life I've always wanted and the true feeling of community that has been lost in todays society. I truly don't feel the true spirit of Christmas anymore but watching this movie helps to find that feeling again. My family taped this movie long ago of TV and now our copy has been worn out so I would really like to buy a few copies on DVD for my family and me if anyone can tell me where I can buy some copies please just post the info here and I will keep checking. Thanks.
John Denver's speech (spoilers included)
Baldach23 February 2003
Warning: Spoilers
From what I remember this tv-movie made me feel warm and fuzzy during the Christmas season. John Denver plays a single father with a pre-teen daughter. If think John Denver plays a church pastor since there is an ending scene where he addresses a congregation. John Denver thanks the congregation for rescuing his daughter from a snowstorm and says the true meaning of Christmas is sharing God's love. Overall beautiful scenery, inspirational message and much better than the plethora of Christmas holiday TV movies.
Great Precious Movie!
garyencarnacion18 December 2018
I remember holding my first born son while watching this wonderful movie. The large open hearth fireplace going and Christmas tree lit with Christmas lights( yes we say Christmas here in our home).
Watch this Christmas gem and your entire family will enjoy as well.
Merry Christmas to all!
A real tear jerker
wbrm3 May 2006
My Wife and I saw this movie once in 1989 and enjoyed it so much We wanted to see it again. It was so moving that I was calling it a tear jerker. The mystery that Billings was sent to report on is really no mystery at all. Angles!! It seems that ever time He turned around something happened to him, all good, and I believe it scared George a bit, considering that he did not realize what He had gotten into. It just goes to show that even the cold hearted can change with the right attitude around. If only We all could treat each other the same, the world would be a better place.To date we have been searching the net for a copy of it, now I finally have a connection to it, as soon as I can find a copy to buy I am going to grab it.
Very Cliché, but still good in spite of itself.
ekulwyo27 November 2007
Just watched it on the Hallmark Channel. I was surprised to John Denver! This movie was full of clichés, but that is to be expected (a made for TV Christmas movie- come on!) The acting is as good as any other '80's made for TV movie. The story is, as I said before, predictable and cliché, but still good. If you are looking for a campy Christmas movie, it will certainly scratch your itch.
I was also pleased when I learned that it took place in Georgetown, Colorado. It is a real mountain town west of Denver. Very cool as this is my home region.
I was never a big John Denver fan (I always found him to be pretty foney) but he was a decent actor. He is very good as the good old boy like he played in this film.
If you get the chance to watch it, than do. I'm sure it will be on again in 2007.
I was also pleased when I learned that it took place in Georgetown, Colorado. It is a real mountain town west of Denver. Very cool as this is my home region.
I was never a big John Denver fan (I always found him to be pretty foney) but he was a decent actor. He is very good as the good old boy like he played in this film.
If you get the chance to watch it, than do. I'm sure it will be on again in 2007.
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