After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Although maybe non-religious, non-Christian viewers might not embrace it, I think this Rankin/Bass stop motion animation special does have a nice little message about how poisonous hate can be and how enlightenment can come from losing it when you have love in its place. Orphan boy, Aaron (Eccles), lost his home and parents to cruel bandits, which has brewed a hatred for all humans. His drum present from his beloved parents and sticks to pound them rhythmically have enabled him to develop a magic relationship with a camel, sheep, and lamb that follow him across the lonely desert of Israel during the Virgin Mary's pregnancy with Christ. The Star of David in the sky, Aaron encounters a no-good, greedy showman, Ben Haramed (Ferrer) and his clumsy, obedient partner as they force them to perform in the hopes of a hefty payday. But Aaron isn't wearing any smile and his attitude regarding mankind doesn't endear him to crowds. Soon they meet kings who are following the Star as it guides them to the birthplace of Christ where Joseph and Mary are, the manger scene in its entirety, and Aaron will see, after his sheep is trampled by the hire of a Roman soldier, under stampeding chariot, that desperate love for his pet can conquer hate. It is Christian in tone and presentation so those not in favor of its story and conclusion at the manger, when the light of baby Jesus offers assistance to the dying sheep, might not take to this one. I thought it had good animation and fun voicework with Haramed quite a villain, snatching Aaron and his pets, expecting them to entertain so he can line his pockets.

Originally aired as a half-hour special,in full color for NBC-TV on December 19,1968,the holiday special "The Little Drummer Boy" was an example of the "Animagic" that was timelessly captured by Rankin-Bass through the use of its brilliant storytelling along with its miniature settings and artistic direction under the supervision and guidance of its producers Arthur Rankin,Jr. and Jules Bass. Narrated by the great Greer Garson,"The Little Drummer Boy" was an exceptional tale,set in ancient times(the story takes place in Isreal),the half-hour special tells the story of a little boy named Aaron,a six-year-old orphaned drummer boy,along with his drum,and his three animal friends-a lamb, a camel,and a donkey-learned the lesson of love and the true meaning of the holy season by journeying with the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to witness the birth of the Christ child. In 1968,the "Teachers Guide to Television" listed this holiday special as a "speciality selected program of educational value" prior to its network premiere for NBC. Through the uses of "Animagic",with the backing of the Vienna Boys Choir with musical direction by Rankin-Bass favorite Maury Laws,this was one of the best of the holiday specials that was produced by the studio. Featuring the voice talents of Jose Ferrer, Teddy Eccles, along with the talents of Paul Frees,this was one of the joyous specials that was both entertaining and educational. However,NBC rebroadcast this special presentation several times from December 18, 1969 until December 23, 1980 on a annual basis. It has been showed on cable for the FOX Family Channel(aka The ABC Family Channel,aka The Family Channel and the former Christian Broadcasting Network),and other networks.

Hey, Lets say we have a roving band of dangerous nomads roaming the desert, brutally murdering people, stealing all of their possessions and leaving their young son to fend for himself in a cruel world. Perfect recipe for a Christmas Special. This one didn't stay as a network staple very long as it was not the happy nice nice special that Rudolph and Charlie Brown were .To Be honest I have liked this since I was a kid. It wasn't as good as the other Rankin/Bass specials but it was the only one of them that really has anything to do with the Jesus. Lot of emotion at the end. You end up glad that you watched it.

Although less highly regarded by many than the masterful "animagic" hour of "Rudolph", this 27-minute gem throbs with the joy and heartache of living that is timelessly captured by Rankin/Bass and the brilliant detail of the Dentsu Company miniature sets and artistic direction (so often overlooked in these productions). A hearty and rich score, especially the underscoring of the tragic death of the boy's parents, is unforgettable. Ferrer, Frees, and Eccles are delightful and the often cloying "Miss" Greer Garson delivers the narration with a gentle stroke that is soothing and sincere. The nativity scene is overwhelmingly moving and the film ends on a perfect note. There was a pointless and meandering sequel years later,"Little Drummer Boy-Book II" which is best left unopened- a lifeless and repetitive tale justly obscure. The original, common on video but shown infrequently now during the Christmas season, showcases that deep color film tone that NBC employed so effectively in the mid-60's, which today adds to the nostalgia. Children's prime-time specials once heralded a great era in the success of the medium. All that remains are these video souvenirs.****out of ****