Friday, December 4, 2015

A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie Review

A Charlie Brown Christmas movieThe Christmas Classic Movie

I feel as if I have always known Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang.  They were not only a part of my own childhood years, but they were a part of my husband's childhood.  Of course,  we introduced them to our children when they were little too.  Therefore, our household has literally had decades of being entertained, and multiple generations taught, by the magnificent Charles Schulz characters.

In 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" made it's debut on television.   It is one of the Christmas classics that I must watch every year.  I even find myself singing or humming "Christmastime is Here" while I am cooking or decorating our tree.

The Peanuts gang is an entertaining group for every age and every member of the family.  Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" together is a wonderful family tradition.

Each year, my heart is touched by the message shared in this Christmas classic to such a degree that anyone watching me would think I had never seen the show before.



A Charlie Brown Christmas Ice Skating Party

The opening scenes of everyone ice skating are beautiful with the snow falling and the loving sense of happiness.  The theme song softly plays in the background.  As I mentioned earlier, it is such a simple melody, that it often plays in my mind throughout the Christmas holiday.

While they are walking to the ice, Charlie Brown is telling Linus about his general depression surrounding the holidays and his own lack of understanding for his absence of excitement and enthusiasm.    
(You can view that in the video scene below)



Did You Know? 

When A Charlie Brown Christmas was made, the producers broke a lot of unwritten rules. 

* No canned laughter was inserted 
* References to the Bible were used to reinforce the true meaning of the season 
* Real children did the voices of the gang instead of adults talking like children 




Setting the Stage for "A Charlie Brown Christmas"


Moving past the tranquil opening scenes, we find Charlie Brown seeking advice from Lucy about his holiday depression.  Lucy takes her station in the lemonade stand as a Psychiatrist to help Charlie Brown determine why he is depressed.  In an effort to help, she appoints him as the Christmas play director.

Meanwhile, the beloved beagle, Snoopy, sets out to win a decorating contest by decorating his dog house.  Even though Charlie Brown detests the commercialism of it all, the dog house really is very pretty when it is decorated and later wins 1st place in the competition.


"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
~ Charlie Brown from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

 

The Christmas Play

When it is announced that Charlie Brown will be the Christmas play director several people, including Snoopy, express disappointment.   Lucy takes over and assigns everyone their parts and the practices begin.  Then, Lucy sends Charlie Brown and Linus to bring back a Christmas Tree for the play.


The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

It's so sad...


Against Linus' objection, Charlie Brown chooses the Christmas tree that needs him.  Of course, he is laughed at and criticized by his peers when he returns with a real tree instead of a modern aluminum tree.

It is at this point that Linus steals the show with his description of what Christmas is really all about.  His eloquent delivery of the true Christmas story is the reason why this show rates as one of my Christmas favorites.



Heeding Linus' words Charlie Brown determines not to let commercialism ruin his Christmas.  He takes his little tree home to decorate it.  After using one ornament from Snoopy's decorated dog house, the little tree bends under the weight of the ornament. Charlie Brown believes he has killed the little tree and walks away even more depressed than before.


Showing Love 


Again at Linus' suggestion, the gang comes together to show a little love and decorates Charlie Brown's tree.  When Charlie Brown sees what his friends have done for him and for his tree of course, he is overjoyed.  The entire group breaks into song:  "Hark the Herald Angel's Sing".

 A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered Deluxe Edition)Check Price

Amazing isn't it?  Charles Schulz was actually allowed to make a Christmas story that tells of Christ's birth and it became a classic.


A Charlie Brown Christmas Movie Review
House of Sylvestermouse



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7 comments:

  1. I am absolutely sure I saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas back in 1965. I fell in love with it then and still love it now. In fact, when you think of how that movie has affected our culture (every tree lot sells Charlie Brown trees!) I'd say it's a family movie that just can't be beat. Great review that made me smile. We haven't watched it yet this year, but we must.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am absolutely sure I saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas back in 1965. I fell in love with it then and still love it now. In fact, when you think of how that movie has affected our culture (every tree lot sells Charlie Brown trees!) I'd say it's a family movie that just can't be beat. Great review that made me smile. We haven't watched it yet this year, but we must.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a classic. Of all the Christmas programs shown on TV each December, this is my favorite. And everyone with young children should have a home copy of this movie to watch throughout the Christmas season. One viewing per year is not enough for this special movie. (And, I've always loved the 'Charlie Brown kind of tree' - a tree that 'needs' to be loved.).

    ReplyDelete
  4. A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my favorites. I love the characters, the inspirations and the "tree" that lives on!

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  5. A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  6. this is a staple in our house - actually tradition, we watch it every year when we decorate the tree as well

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've never seen it, but I'm happy the Christmas story -- the real Christmas story -- is out where people who don't know it may hear it.

    ReplyDelete

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