DVD: ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas Deluxe Edition
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Cast: Joel Grey, George Gobel, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver
If I had to make a top five list of favorite Christmas specials, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas would be near the top. Though rarely seen on broadcast television anymore, if you’re a determined viewer you can often track it down. However, you don’t need to monitor the television listings anymore because you can own the animated special on both DVD and Blu-Ray.
Another wonderful special from Rankin-Bass, this animation was first broadcast in 1974 and was based on the famous 1823 poem that includes the title line. It is set in Junctionville, New York back at the turn of the 20th century and follows the adventures of a clockmaker, Joshua Trundle, and his mouse friend, Father Mouse. The town has printed an anonymous letter stating that they don’t believe that Santa exists, so Santa has decided to return all their letters and essentially ignore the town on Christmas night.
The writer of the letter turns out to be Father Mouse’s son, Albert. It takes him some time, but he soon realizes that his disbelief was unfounded and that he, like many others, may indeed believe in the magic of Santa. So, the town is working against time to call Santa back to them and prove that they still believe. In order to do this, Joshua and Father Mouse decide to build a special clock to ring out a special song for Santa at midnight on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, Albert wanders in and tinkers on it himself, thus rendering the clock useless. Now the town thinks Joshua is useless and refuses to let him attempt repairs. Albert feels bad for all the wrong he’s done, so he takes on the repairs himself and finishes just in time.
It doesn’t feel quite like Christmas unless I get a chance to see this special. Being able to have it on DVD and Blu-Ray to re-watch whenever I get the urge is a pleasure. Come venture back to the simpler times when the belief in Santa inspires others to go above and beyond what they thought capable of. If you just believe hard enough, all kinds of wonderful things can happen.
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
