An outcast donkey in Roman era Judea with overlong ears finds his destiny on the way to Bethlehem.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes a cue from her latest film Gemini Man to prepare her younger self for a life in Hollywood.
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Title: Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (TV Movie 1977)
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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 | ... | (voice) |
|
|
Iris Rainer | ... | (voice) |
|
|
Shelly Hines | ... | (voice) |
|
|
Eric Stern | ... | Nestor (voice) |
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Plot Summary
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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 Keywords:
christmas special | animal character name as title | nestor the donkey character | six word title | ears |Taglines:
How a Brave Little Donkey Helped Make the First Christmas Happen! Floppy-eared Nestor doesn't look much like a hero...but he proves he's got more than enough courage and love as he takes Joseph and Mary on the wondrous journey to Bethlehem.Certificate:
TV-GParents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
3 December 1977 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Music by Maury Laws
Lyrics by Jules Bass
Performed by Roger Miller
See more »
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
The Roman guard pays Olaf the donkey breeder with an American coin, specifically a nickel. See more »Connections
Referenced in The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: A Very Joe Bob Xmas: Phantasm IV (2018) See more »Soundtracks
Don't Laugh and Make Somebody CryMusic by Maury Laws
Lyrics by Jules Bass
Performed by Roger Miller
See more »
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For those of you who have never seen this show, please try to find it on DVD. I bought my favorite Rankin/Bass Christmas shows on DVD this year. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this favorite from my childhood on the same DVD as "A Year Without a Santa Claus" (another real fave of mine).
Sure, there are some sappy moments in Nestor, but the story is very touching and heart-warming. I wish there were more Christmas shows on television brave enough to acknowledge the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ as the reason for the season.
And a short response to another poster about the blizzards in Rome... the beginning of the story sets it in Europe during the Roman rule and occupation... the cherub then guides Nestor over a long period of time to a stable closer to Bethlehem. As a child I never picked up on Nestor having to wait for a while to go to Bethlehem, but seeing it as an adult it touched me that we all at times have to wait for our opportunity to serve in some way and it might not come when we want it to, but when our Father does. But I digress.... a great Christmas treat!