The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

An orphan drummer boy who hated humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men on route to Bethlehem.

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writer:

Romeo Muller

Stars:

José Ferrer, Paul Frees, June Foray

Cast

Complete credited cast:
José Ferrer	...	Ben Haramed (voice) (as Jose Ferrer)
Paul Frees	...	Aaron's Father, the Magi (voice)
June Foray	...	Aaron's Mother (voice)
Ted Eccles	...	Aaron (voice) (as Teddy Eccles)
Greer Garson	...	Our Story Teller (voice) (as Miss Greer Garson)
Wiener Sängerknaben	...	Themselves (voice) (as The Vienna Boys Choir)

Storyline

Animated film version of the legendary song of a boy who lets out all his frustrations on a drum, little knowing how significant this drum will be in the birth of the newborn Jesus.

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Plot Keywords:

drum | drummer | boy | nativity scene | reference to the little drummer boy | 

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

José Ferrer would go on to provide the voice for Mr. Badger in a future Rankin/Bass television special, The Wind in the Willows (1987).

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Goofs

When Aaron approaches the manger with baby Jesus, in the next shot the dying lamb, which was lying in front of one of the Kings, has disappeared.

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Quotes

Our Story Teller: Aaron's heart was filled with joy and love. And he knew at last that the hate he had carried there was wrong. As ALL hatred will ever be wrong. For more powerful, more beautiful by far than all the eons of sadness and cruelty and desolation which had come before, was that one tiny, crystalline second of laughter. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

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Crazy Credits

The Rankin-Bass logo at the end plays in complete silence.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Animated Christmas Villains and Doubters (2014)

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Soundtracks

The Little Drummer Boy
Written by Katherine K. Davis and Henry Onorati
Arranged by Harry Simeone
Performed by Wiener Sängerknaben (as The Vienna Boys Choir)

User Reviews

Still Great Holiday Classic

This holiday classic is still refreshing to see even after almost 40 years. The story line is of course about the little drummer boy who ends up coming to grips with his hatred of people. In the end he has to play his drum for the baby Jesus and even though he is certainly no Buddy Rich it does come from the heart which, as we know from years of watching these type of films is what really counts and in the end the little drummer boy receives a change of heart.It's pretty much the same holiday format that for some reason one can never grow tired of no matter how many times we watch it or different forms it comes in...Certainly a great one to bring the kids up on.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Little Drummer Boy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3