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Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)

TV-G | | Animation , Family , Fantasy | TV Movie 3 December 1977
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Poster
An outcast donkey in Roman era Judea with overlong ears finds his destiny on the way to Bethlehem.

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writer:

Romeo Muller

Stars:

Roger Miller, Brenda Vaccaro, Paul Frees | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Roger Miller ... Speiltoe / Narrator (voice)
Brenda Vaccaro ... Tilly (voice)
Paul Frees ... Santa Claus / Olaf / Donkey dealer (voice)
Don Messick ... (voice)
Linda Gary Linda Gary ... (voice)
Iris Rainer Iris Rainer ... (voice)
Shelly Hines Shelly Hines ... (voice)
Eric Stern Eric Stern ... Nestor (voice)
See full cast »
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Storyline

Back in the days of the Roman Empire, a small donkey is born with VERY long ears, that keep getting him into trouble. When his owner throws him out of the stable in disgust, his mother sacrifices her life to save him from a blizzard. And, guided only by his guardian cherub (Tilly), he has to find his rightful place and destiny, somewhere on the road to Bethlehem. Written by Kathy Li

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

ears | donkey | sacrifice | cherub | bullying | See All (12) »

Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

Certificate:

TV-G

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1977 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Features multiple non-speaking cameos from characters from other Rankin-Bass specials, including Jingle, Jangle, and Mrs. Claus from 'The Year Without a Santa Claus', the Three Wise Men from The Little Drummer Boy, and the one and only Rudolph. See more »

Goofs

In one shot, the guard picks up Nestor by the tail. In the next, he's holding Nestor by the ears See more »

Connections

Follows The Little Drummer Boy Book II (1976) See more »

Soundtracks

Follow the Angels
Music by Maury Laws
Lyrics by Jules Bass
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Nestor go back to Olaf even though he was originally abused there?
Q: Where did Nestor's mother get the stockings?
See more »

User Reviews

It hits me too
27 November 2003 | by atomicseasoning – See all my reviews

Oh I know this Christmas special is always a tear jerker as well for me. Poor Nestor the Long Eared Donkey, the first part of the story reminds me of a cross between Dumbo (big ears/oddball) and Bambi (what happened to his mother)! I think I first saw Nestor about the same time I saw Bambi, so I srt of become confused remembering how each's mother died...but still it's sad at that point. Also the poigniant way Roger Miller sang & narrated this program really made it so tear jerking.

I'm glad though Nestor finds a better life as Mary & Joseph's donkey, who carries Mary all the way to Bethlehem, where she then has baby Jesus.

I always loved the Rankin Bass specials that gave the real meaning of Christmas storylines the best anyway.
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