This is now my 2nd favorite animated Christmas special - behind Charlie Brown Christmas. I don't know how this one flew under my "Christmas" movie radar for so many years - it is simply magical! The attention to detail of the sets is incredible - unsurpassed by ANY stop-motion film I've ever seen! It must have taken quite some time to create the miniature sets! If there were no sound, you'd still be smitten!
I love what they did with the traditional "Night Before Christmas" and the addition towards the end to give it a spiritual flavor. Not over-the-top or in your face, but like Charlie Brown's Christmas; just right!
Someone commented that the stop-motion wasn't all that great - well, maybe not on the order of Nightmare Before Christmas but certainly as good as any Rankin-Bass creation - IMO.
See if you notice which traditional lines from the original text of Clement C. Moore's poem were omitted - and I think I agree with that removal.
Lastly, I love what they do with the issue of fruitcakes as gifts (and I actually LIKE fruitcake!)
If this doesn't become one of your new favorite holiday films - check to see if your heart has frozen!
