SpuffyWeb
Sadly Over-hyped
Marketic
It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.
RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
amanda_moose
I thought of this movie just today but couldn't remember the name of it. I called my mom, who was a teacher at the time I saw the movie at school, and ask her if she remembered the movie so I could search for it online. She didn't help a bit. So, I called my brother to see if he remembered it and he had no clue. So I ended up just browsing threw all online Christmas movies to find it. Now I'm 23 years old and I watched that movie when I was in 3rd grade! I remember all of it! My teacher, where we watched the movie and everything! I have bought the movie and my Husband and I are taking it this year to our family get-together for our whole family to watch. A definitely Must See!!!
lightninboy
Many people have been involved in a church Christmas pageant at one time or another, so there was bound to be a story like this. Take a typical middle-class family (the Bradleys) involved in a typical middle-class church Christmas pageant, a little uptight and steeped in tradition, and throw in some lower-class ruffian kids (the Herdmans) who take starring roles. This movie is a little different from the novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but that should be okay, because Barbara Robinson wrote them both. It seems like the book did say that the narrator figured that the Herdmans were going to hell, while the movie has her say she figured they were going to the devil. I suppose "devil" was supposed to be less offensive than "hell," but I'd rather have the narrator say "hell" like in the novel. Loretta Swit from M*A*S*H plays the mother directing the pageant. You might think this would be an unlikely role for her, but she does a good job.
Cobbler
I never thought any tv movie could do justice to the classic novel on which this Christmas special is based. But this flick succeeds brilliantly. All the classic lines & situations from the book are here, along with some added surprises. (The ham, and the surprise visitor at the pageant!) The Herdmans are exactly how I pictured them, and their "house" is completely realistic as well- love the factories in the background! The supporting characters (especially Charlie, Alice Wendelken, and (I think his name is) Hobie Carmichael), are all perfectly cast. And the message of the book is perfectly preserved-- there's a pretty amazing moment with the young actress who plays Imogene Herdman, when she's looking at a picture of Mary & Jesus and starts to cry. For anyone who hasn't read the book (which is a masterpiece & one of the most hilarious books I've ever read), I at least recommend you getting a hold of this movie. It will help you remember the "true" meaning of Christmas.
toddanne
This movie is so great on so many levels! One moment you are touched and the next you are rolling on the floor laughing! I think what makes this movie so enjoyable is the fact that we can all identify with it! We all have gotten roped into volunteering when we don't want to and we all know a family just like the Hermans! Watch it!!!!
