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A Charlie Brown Christmas

  • TV Movie
  • 1965
  • TV-G
  • 25m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
47K
YOUR RATING
Bill Melendez and Peter Robbins in A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Watch Now on Apple TV+
Play trailer0:31
8 Videos
89 Photos
Hand-Drawn AnimationHoliday AnimationHoliday ComedyHoliday FamilySlapstickAnimationComedyDramaFamilyHoliday

Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.

  • Director
    • Bill Melendez
  • Writer
    • Charles M. Schulz
  • Stars
    • Ann Altieri
    • Chris Doran
    • Sally Dryer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    47K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bill Melendez
    • Writer
      • Charles M. Schulz
    • Stars
      • Ann Altieri
      • Chris Doran
      • Sally Dryer
    • 189User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos8

    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    A Charlie Brown Christmas
    Clip 2:48
    A Charlie Brown Christmas
    Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection (Depressed On Christmas: A Charlie Brown Christmas)
    Clip 1:22
    Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection (Depressed On Christmas: A Charlie Brown Christmas)
    Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection (Christmas Tree: A Charlie Brown Christmas)
    Clip 1:20
    Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection (Christmas Tree: A Charlie Brown Christmas)

    Photos89

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    + 83
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    Top cast10

    Edit
    Ann Altieri
    • Frieda
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Chris Doran
    • Schroeder
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    Sally Dryer
    • Violet
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Melendez
    Bill Melendez
    • Snoopy
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Karen Mendelson
    • Patty
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Geoffrey Ornstein
    • Pig-Pen
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Robbins
    Peter Robbins
    • Charlie Brown
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Christopher Shea
    Christopher Shea
    • Linus Van Pelt
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Cathy Steinberg
    • Sally Brown
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Tracy Stratford
    Tracy Stratford
    • Lucy Van Pelt
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Bill Melendez
    • Writer
      • Charles M. Schulz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews189

    8.347.3K
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    Featured reviews

    juliafwilliams

    Improves with age

    Like fine wine, A Charlie Brown Christmas improves with age. It has become the standard not only for the other Charlie Brown specials but also for the animated Christmas specials that have followed it over the decades. Thanks to innovations like video and DVD, Peanuts devotees the world over can enjoy their favorite Charlie Brown specials any time of the year (read Christmas in July). Charlie Brown, the Van Pelt siblings and, of course, Snoopy, are heaven-sent and will be in the hearts of future generations long after us earthlings are no more.

    God bless Charlie Brown and the Van Pelts. God bless Charles M. Schultz for creating such legendary icons.
    9gazzo-2

    It's great......

    .......and certainly by far this is the best of the Peanuts specials. Odd that the first one was the best, ya know? (And in running down the long list here in the Schulz credits-what were some of those-You're a Good Man Charlie Brown? You'll Find Her Charlie Brown? It's Arthritis, Charlie Brown, etc....You got the point...too much of a good thing...) I associate watching this w/ seeing it back to back w/ Frosty or the Grinch, coming inside after sledding outside in the snow, that famous CBS whirling Special intro, and those York Peppermint Patty(TM) ads. Just somehow all seemed to fit, back in '74 and now.

    The animation-sure it's sloppy, typical TV '60's stuff-Schulz always said he didn't like this show nearly as much as everyone else seemed too-it was too rushed-but it does work. The best parts-the singing at the end, the great Linus speech-have resonated down thru the years and continue to hit home even now.

    I don't expect there to be a better Christmas special ever.

    ****
    9Hitchcoc

    An Old Friend

    Unlike simple video presentations, this timeless Christmas offering is bit of comfort food as much as it is a piece of Americana. Charile Brown searches for the meaning of Christmas, running into the utter commercialism we all deride (yet we fill up the shopping malls anyway). Charlie (who is abused at every turn) takes on the role of the director a Christmas play, much to the disdain of his peers. They continually refer to him as a blockhead. Even his dog enters a Christmas lighting contest, turning his doghouse into a showplace. As time passes, the din of the season overwhelms our young hero to where he can't stand it anymore. He must seek out the true meaning of the holiday. This is a precious offering, utilizing one of the most recognizable soundtracks in all of cinema, and seems to give us a little boost at the holiday season. See it an grab a little childhood.
    9travisimo

    A Very Different Christmas

    A Charlie Brown Christmas is probably the most unique Christmas film you can find. It's different because the Peanuts gang seem melancholy and introspective much of the time. I mean, do kids really worry about the commercialization of Christmas?!

    Nevertheless, the special really speaks to adults and probably older kids, and keeps you thinking after it's over. It has a very good message, and the music, while also melancholy, sticks with you for a long time afterwards. You could probably play a few notes of their "Christmastime" song, and I'll immediately picture this film. This movie should definitely become part of anybody's holiday collection, even if it's only to stand out from the other material.

    My IMDb Rating: 9/10. My Yahoo! Grade: A- (Almost Perfect)
    8gavin6942

    A True Christmas Classic

    Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) tries to find the true meaning of Christmas.

    The story goes that when this cartoon was first made, it ran into issues because of the lack of canned laughter and the religious overtones. Despite some apprehensions, it went forward as planned. And guess what? It became one of the most successful Christmas specials ever aired.

    I could not even imagine this with laughter. I mean, Charlie Brown is something of a sad sack -- we should not be laughing at him, but feeling sympathy for him. And how can we not appreciate his message of commercialism gone too far? I was not alive in the 1960s, but I think it would be a fair assumption to say that the commercialism of Christmas has not decreased... not one bit.

    More like this

    It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
    8.1
    It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
    A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
    7.7
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    How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
    8.3
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    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    8.0
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    Frosty the Snowman
    7.3
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    It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
    6.8
    It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
    Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
    7.7
    Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
    Charlie Brown's All Stars!
    7.5
    Charlie Brown's All Stars!
    A Boy Named Charlie Brown
    7.3
    A Boy Named Charlie Brown
    You're in Love, Charlie Brown
    7.5
    You're in Love, Charlie Brown
    The Peanuts Movie
    7.0
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    You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown
    7.3
    You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When viewing the rough cut of the show, both Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson were convinced that they had a flop on their hands. After it premiered, they were happily surprised and shocked at the high ratings and excellent reviews that the show received. Today, the show remains the second longest-running Christmas special on US network television (the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) premiered one year earlier and is still broadcast every year on US network television).
    • Goofs
      When Charlie Brown consults Lucy for psychiatric help, her sign (as read from the front) says, "The Doctor Is Real In." However, when seen from the side angle, the sign simply says, "The Doctor Is In."
    • Quotes

      Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.

      [shouting in desperation]

      Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

      Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

      [moves toward center stage]

      Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.

      [the lights dim, and a spotlight shines on Linus]

      Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not:"

      [Linus drops his security blanket on purpose]

      Linus Van Pelt: "for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

      [Luke 2:8-14 KJV]

      Linus Van Pelt: [silent pause as Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown] That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

    • Alternate versions
      Original uncut telecast version featured sponsor plugs within the context of the film. During the main title sequence we see Snoopy tossing both Charlie Brown and Linus during the opening "Christmas Time Is Here" song. Charlie crashes into a tree as the main title credits are seen (as we have all been familiar with over the years). However, all current prints do not show us what happens to Linus...in the uncut version, Linus crashes into a Coca-Cola sign (indicating the show's sponsor). Also, after the final credits (while the Peanuts gang sing "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"), there is a subtitle that says "Merry Christmas from your local Coca-Cola bottler". Due to subsequent FCC laws precluding sponsor plugs in the context of children's programs, these two elements have been edited out of all current prints (even in the so-called "uncut" versions shown on CBS, as well as all home video releases from Paramount and Warner Bros.).
    • Connections
      Edited into A Charlie Brown Kwanzaa (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Christmas Time Is Here
      (uncredited)
      Music by Vince Guaraldi
      Lyrics by Lee Mendelson
      Performed by the The Vince Guaraldi Trio and members of the choir of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, San Rafael, California

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 1965 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fröhliche Weihnachten, Charlie Brown
    • Production companies
      • Lee Mendelson Film Productions
      • Bill Melendez Productions
      • United Feature Syndicate (UFS)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $150,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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