zkonedog
When a televised special like this one continues to capture the hearts of children (and their nostalgic parents) year after year since 1964, it must portray an aura of "timelessness" in order to have such a long shelf-life. Well, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does exactly that by using the "misfits" theme to appeal to such a wide audience.For a basic plot summary, "Rudolph" sees the young reindeer with the glowing red nosed mocked for his differences and unable to "join in any reindeer games". Without any chance of joining Santa's sleigh team, Rudolph (along with fellow misfit Elf Herbie, who wants to be a dentist instead of making toys) embarks out into the wilderness himself, encountering an Abominable Snow Monster and a hearty prospector who helps him survive. Along the way, Rudolph and Herbie find themselves on the "Island of Misfit Toys", an experience that encourages both of them to return home.Because every child (whether perceived or otherwise) goes through that "ugly duckling" stage in life, the themes in this little special are indeed timeless. The children who watched it originally back in 1964 and the following years grew up, but never quite outgrew its classic holiday themes, passing it on to their own children until it now has become a holiday tradition.What also helps "Rudolph" stand apart from the rest of the holiday specials is its Claymation format. There is probably a reason why Claymation is no longer used today in Hollywood on this sort of scale, but that rarity only enhances this show's appeal.Overall, there are three holiday media events that I try not to miss each December: "It's A Wonderful Life", "Frosty the Snowman", and this "Rudolph". I can watch them with a sibling/child and introduce a new generation to the old traditions, or I can watch them by myself and rekindle those "Christmases long, long ago".
sailorspysedna
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is the first Christmas special from the late Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, and is one of, if not the best Christmas specials ever made, and a near universally loved Christmas special, and a true Christmas classic.Rudolph is a reindeer born with a shiny red nose, but because his father believes it won't let him join Santa's sleigh team, he covers it up and Rudolph is ashamed of having such a red nose, whilst meanwhile, an elf named Hermy wants to be a dentist and not make toys but is ridiculed by his desire for being one. The two of them run away feeling they don't fit in, but they meet and the two of them set off to be independent. Along the way, they meet a prospector named Yukon Cornelius and narrowly escape the nasty Bumble Snow Monster of the North, and wind up on a magical island named "The Island of Misfit Toys", full of toys like a spotted elephant or a cowboy riding an ostrich. Later on, everyone is reunited, apologizes for their behavior, Bumble is reformed, and Hermy becomes a dentist. When a snowstorm threatens to cancel Christmas, but Santa realizes that Rudolph's nose can help him see through it, and Rudolph, who has finally been accepted by others, accepts to help Santa. They fly off and are able to give the Misfit Toys homes and Rudolph goes down in history.The story is simple, but it is amazing and epic in its own way, it contains amazing messages: just because you're different than everyone else doesn't mean that you're bad, you can fit in with your own unique, and independent way and be liked by others for it, and there will always be someone who will love you and like you for who you are. There are some dated views from the 60s ("This is man's work") but aside from that, this story still has held up like a fine wine.The animation, sets, and puppets are excellent, with cute, charming designs, particularly the reindeer, elves, Santa, and especially the Misfit toys, despite them being misfits, they look like actual toys I'd have loved to play with as a kid. The settings are beautiful too, from the Christmas tree forest to the inside of Santa's workshop. The animation is also smooth and fluid, and I love the use of a light bulb for Rudolph's nose.The music is wonderful and joyous, with Burl Ives' wonderful voice perfectly singing three classic songs, "Rudolph", "Silver and Gold", and "Holly Jolly Christmas", and especially Clarice's song, "There's Always Tomorrow", a beautiful song telling not to give up hope or on your dreams, and then there's "We're a Couple of Misfits", showing how Hermy and Rudolph won't let them being misfits stop them from living life.The characters are all charming, Sam the Snowman is an excellent narrator with a warm, lovable voice, Clarice is kind and caring, Donner, despite seeming harsh, is caring for his son, Hermy is independent but friendly, Santa is jolly and lovable albeit being grumpy and crabby at times, Mrs. Claus is hilarious and Yukon Cornelius is hilarious, heroic and intelligent. The best character though here, is Rudolph, our main hero, also voiced by one of my favorite actresses, Billie Mae Richards. He is kind, caring, cute, lovable and we can relate to him in ways, all possibly having been teased one way or another. He also develops greatly as he grows up, he goes from a fawn upset and concerned about his problems to a hero who puts his own problems aside to help save others, characters like that are some of my favorites in stories and this is no exception.I also find that two common complaints are not reasonable. Donner, whilst yes, he was very harsh, he had good intentions despite his actions, he wanted the best for his son, and he wanted his son to gain respect for himself, plus at least it was shown he could be kind to his son and he did teach Rudolph how to survive in life, and looked for him when he ran away. One common thing I've seen people complain about is Santa supposedly being a jerk and telling Donner that "he should be ashamed for having Rudolph as a son". While yes, that whole "what a pity" line is strange, that assumption technically isn't true from what I've seen, he's more jolly and crabby. When he first sees Rudolph, he kindly explains to Rudolph what flying reindeer are like, and during the scene with Donner, he actually is calling out Donner on his actions of covering Rudolph's nose and is mad at Donner, not his son (that's why Donner felt bad for treating Rudolph), he most likely didn't know about those Misfit Toys at first, and he later realizes his thoughts on Rudolph's nose not letting him join the team was wrong. Most of Santa's crabbiness is for comedic effect, like the scenes with Mrs. Claus trying to fatten him up and his reactions to the Elf Song, at least he didn't say outright it was terrible, and honestly, if you had to listen to a song over and over again, wouldn't you go crazy? Plus if Santa was supposedly a jerk, would he have sounded so happy to see Rudolph when he came home, and would Rudolph had asked Santa about the Misfit Toys? Whilst yes, Santa could be crabby and harsh, at least he does show a jolliness and happy side to him that shows how he's only human. It's not like the Santa from the live action Year Without a Santa Claus, where there he HIT an elf...Overall, over 50 years later, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer still shines bright like Rudolph's nose that shines on Christmas Eve in the night, and I still love it today. Highly recommended.
