Another one of the things that made Chirstmas interesting is this fantasy tales that have been constructed, much like with Greek Myth it's just timeless; just as this special is. I remember seeing this Christmas special when I was about six and to this day I still watch it; it's one of my personal favorite Chistmas films. The stop motion claymation effects are just great, to this day they hold up because they all look real, you can tell the Ralkin and Bass company really went to great lengths to make this possible, not just to give us great visuals but to also simply help tell a great story. The backgrounds are great they really construct a cold yet fascinating fantasy world where there could be anything just around the next bend. But most impressive is the character animation where everyone looks diverse from each other. The music is great from a few of the songs from the late great folksinger Burl Ives which are memorable my favorite from him is "Holy Joly Christmas" it's just fun and energetic. Though my favorite song believe it or not is "There's always tomorrow" from the character Clarise which I think is a sweet and touching because it's a song about hope. The characters are great, the protagonists each I feel are sympathetic because they have one think in common their outsiders and they have a dream. Herbie the Elf is one that wants to be a dentist, I really don't see what the problem is health for your teeth is important but I guess in the north pole they don't take it seriously. Yukon Cornelous whom is a fun character, he's tough, ambitious, has a keen sense of taste as he licks his pick Ax to detect minerals of value, but also indecisive as he always can't decide whether he wants gold or silver; which is something I can sometimes emphasize with since I'm a little indecisive sometimes. But of course the main character Rudolf is the one that is the most sympathetic of the bunch since his character throughout the film is getting crap canned left and right all because of his nose. Man, I still want to kick Fireball ass, just take his antlers and knee him in the face. Sorry that sounded extreme but after the crap he gave Rudolf for his nose, will push anyone over the edge. Prejudice is a revolving theme throughout the film, as the characters go to a place full of Misfit toys whom are all labeled that because each of these typical conventional toys all have one feature that makes them different. I personally don't think are bad toys at all, I'd play with those toys. I'll admit this fact just made me feel sad for Rudolf, Herbie, and those toys all the more; being banished because your different isn't right. Personally I've always believed that differences exist because there is a reason for them, and this of course is the pay off in the end. The film has a good anti prejudice message, about accepting people for who they are no matter their differences. But also that just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad. Rudolf lit up our hearts and still shines bright to this day. Rating: 4 stars

I'll cut straight to the point, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. You're obviously supposed to feel sympathy for the main characters, but it's hard not to root for the abominable snowman to eat them. The Dentist Elf is entitled, obnoxious, and so full of himself. Rudolph is whiny, dense, and has more of a victim complex than Bambi. Yukon Cornelius is the worst of them, there is just something so unlikable that makes you hope he'll fall through the ice and freeze every time you watch. My biggest complaint is the ending though. Rudolph and company find an island where rejected/broken toys can be appreciated and loved by their omnipotent ruler despite their flaws and imperfections. This seems like a perfect place for our heroes to be at home. But no... The whole message of the movie leads up to Santa only caring about Rudolph once he needs something from him. Rudolph gets pressured to return to the people who spent his whole life judging him and bullying him because they are in need. Along with returning to his abusers, Rudolph also drags the misfit toys back with him and be given to children who will inevitably discard of them and reject them within a few days if not hours of receiving these broken toys.

After reading some of the reviews, I think most of the people who see this wonderful Christmas classic in a negative light, are not grasping the true meaning of the story. Many of them mention that it makes Santa and the other characters who work at the north pole seem cruel and mean because of how they treat Rudolph until they need him. That is not what happens in the movie because 1. Rudolph's dad is sorry for how he treated him when Rudolph goes missing, and 2. Santa tells Rudolph, he is sorry when he and his friends get back from their adventure, not when he suddenly he needs Rudolph after learning about the storm. The meaning of the story is the importance of accepting who you are and working through life's adversities instead of trying to fit in to accepted norms. It also shows that even though those we hold in highest esteem can sometimes be wrong, it is just as important to be able to forgive them as it is to do so for those we see as our equals. Other complaints focus on the misfit toys saying they are mistreated by being dumped out of Santa's sleigh and by being brought to a snowy island in the first place. Maybe they are being dropped, with the help of umbrellas I might add, to homeless children somewhere in the world where there are no homes with chimneys. Children who will love them no matter what their shortcomings are, unlike spoiled well off kids. And the bird suddenly being able to fly, well it is the season for miracles and Santa is suppose to be magical. Finally people point to the dolly not having any obvious problems. My answer to them is that there are plenty of perfectly normal or even beautiful beings out there who have to go through life being unloved because of their beliefs or actions. King Moonracer doesn't go out each night looking for toys that are odd or ugly, he looks for toys who are unloved and feel unwanted. He rescues them and gives them a home, the only home he has to offer and it may not be the best but it shows that at least he cares.

The figurines are still displayed...the old snowman (voice by Burl Ives), Rudolph, Clarice,the assorted elves, the Abonimable snowman... What a great show for children!. This, like "Davey and Goliath" captures the child's imagination, and has no blood or gore (except maybe when Rudolph gets in trouble!). Not to worry though, it all works out. It is a great story and the figures are so life-like; children under age nine especially will love this. It is very telling that over thirty years later I can remember this tale, and want my children to watch this. There is really nothing else as well done for the season. A must see for all young viewers, and adults who need a dose of Christmas!. 10/10.

I think the show basically wants to get out the point that everyone , regardless of handicap, social , mental, or physical is special. That is a noble wonderful message. How they get there is another issue to be sure. Santa and the reindeer herd are selfish and only become nice to Rudolph when they can USE him for something... and that something is to guide the reindeer and sleigh on a very foggy Christmas Eve . This is very tasteless , in my opinion. Yes I know its just a kids show and I should not read into it anymore. Do not underestimate kids. Kids learn from these shows and they will feel its OK to ridicule someone else until they actually need them for something. Sounds like a Seinfeld Episode to me but it should not be a Seinfeld episode... I like Seinfeld by the way, but it is what it is- caricature for adults. This is mean spirited and quite frankly very UNsantaish as far as I am concerned. For a good wholesome , great message Christmas show stick to the Grinch. Children can learn better life's lessons from that show. In the Grinch , the message is that Christmas can be good even under dire circumstances. In other words the holiday season is in the heart not in material things.

perhaps the best of the early rainker/ bass productions, Rudolph and the tale of the island of misfit toys is classic, nearly flawless with great original songs. there is little better to get into the holiday spirit. the animation is a little bizarre and perhaps even a little frightening for young kids, which may explain why they don't show it as much. or maybe it's because it lacks flash and pizazz and all that showy junk that passes for entertainment on tv nowadays. Give me this stuff anyday. the only problem i have is the fact that they make santa and all the other reindeer out to be such b*****ds. If I were Rudolph, I wouldn't let santa use me as his tool, I'd tell him to cram it. Of course that's just my opinion.

i liked this gaudy piece of christmas hokum as much as anyone when i was a child, but now i think it's laughable and kind of sad it sure is ignorant if anything the toy gun; rudolph and donner concerning themselves with "getting the women back to the north poll" or whatever that line was; the persecution and the fact that they only ever really accept rudolph when they find a way to use him; and (not that i'm religious, but if you're going to celebrate christmas, you should acknowledge its purpose) it is an archetypical example of the commercialization and abandonment of what christmas is. this one goes on the shelf right next to the cheese whizz geeze.

Am I the only one that thinks this Christmas special is creepy, cheap, and weird? The only thing I can give credit to on this show is the music. The plot and characters however are shallow. What kind of self respecting reindeer forgives the entire south pole after a 5 second apology for dumping on him because of his handicap? Furthermore the animation just freaks me out. Perhaps it's the absence of fluidity of motion, maybe it's the premonition that toys shouldn't move on their own. I don't know, it's just scary. Parent's, don't subject your kids to this "thing", it's not even close to PC and there are many, many better options. Try "A Christmas Story" or the Disney incarnation of "Mickey's Christmas Carol," which is more deserving of the word classic.

Oh this one is great! I loved it as a kid, and must admit to being scared of the Abominable when he showed round age 5 or so. The parts with Herbie doing the 'Oink oink oink' routine and with Yukon Cornelious are a Scream! (One of my cousins reminds me of Yukon, actually...) There are some terrific vignettes here-the iceberg drifting off into the northern lights, the Beasts' roaring echoing all round, the Island of Misfit Toys(Charlie in the Box is the best!)...'Bumbles Bounce!'... Who can not like this? Plus Burl Ives, the one and only. This one will still be shown long after the Beavises of the world are gone. *** outta ****, a definate watch. +

Directors: Kizo Nagashima, Larry Roemer; Story: Robert May; Script: Romeo Muller; Producers: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Rudolph is more then a Christmas special, it is a holiday tradition. I always look forward to the special time during the Christmas season when I can watch this. This beloved special is one of the few things that brings back my childhood. Most children today enjoy watching this as much as their parents did when they were little. On the DVD's introduction, producer Arthur Rankin states that Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer has been reportedly viewed by over a billion people worldwide. It is perhaps second only to The Wizzard of Oz as being the most viewed programme of all time. Rudolph is the first of a line of Christmas specials that were produced by Rankin and Bass and written by Romeo Muller. Some of the others are: The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Frosty the Snowman (1969),and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) as well as Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) and Puff, The Magic Dragon (1978). It is hard to imagine all these classic specials being the creation of one man. Mr. Muller is Mr. Christmas! The origins of Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer stem from the song written by Johnny Marks back in the 1930's or 1940's. A Max Fleischer cartoon short was made in 1948 with Robert May creating its story. However, the Rankin and Bass Christmas special is based on the Johnny Marks song but other than that, it is all the creation of Romeo Muller. Hermey the elf, Sam the snowman, Yukon Cornelius, Claurice, the head elf are all Muller's creations. Even Rudolph's personality is created by Muller. In the 1948 cartoon Rudolph does not talk. I have always liked Burl Ives as both a singer and an actor. His part as Sam the Snowman is my favourite by him. All the people behind the scenes doing the voices were all talented. They used stop motion animation with moving puppets just like they did with King Kong. Rudolph is a timeless classic that bring me back to the simpler time of childhood every time I watch it. I hope my small children will enjoy it to.