Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)

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

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	...	(voice)
Iris Rainer	...	(voice)
Shelly Hines	...	(voice)
Eric Stern	...	Nestor (voice)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

ears | donkey | sacrifice | cherub | bullying | 

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Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

24 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

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.

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Goofs

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

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Connections

Follows The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

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Soundtracks

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
Written by Gene Autry, Don Pfrimmer, and Dave Burgess
Performed by Roger Miller

User Reviews

I love this film!

This is one of my favorites of the shorter Christmas specials. I bought it several years ago and it has made me cry since I was a little kid, but I think I cry even more now. The early years of Nestor's life are the parts that are really heart-wrenching. It's the same old story of a character who is made fun of unmercilessly by his peers because of a different physical attribute, in this case it happens to be his abnormally long ears. All the while in the background the same song plays throughout, a pretty little tune explaining Nestor's plight, and it only makes you cry more. By the time it gets around to the part where he is chosen to carry Mary to Bethlehem, I am a blubbering idiot. But this gem of a Christmas special is well worth making it part of your collection or even catching it on FAM's 25 Days of Christmas. They show it every year and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Christmas and is sentimental like me. Also great for kids.