Charles Schultz cast the gold standard of annual holiday classics with his 1965 creation of A Charlie Christmas. This animated, made-for-TV special features all the familiar Peanuts characters (although I've always wondered why the comic strip was titled Peanuts and not Charlie Brown?) - Lucy, Snoopy, Schroeder, Linus, Sally, Pig-pen, and Woodstock all make appearances. But the enduring popularity of this classic stems not from its storyline, but its invocation of childhood nostalgia and memorable Christmas music (everyone on earth has heard the song the characters sing in the closing credits).

For those who need refreshing (because I don't know anyone who hasn't seen it), A Charlie Brown Christmas covers title character Charlie Brown's search for the true meaning of Christmas. When neighborhood friend Lucy dispenses her usual five cent advice, she encourages Charlie Brown to take on the job of director in the school Christmas play. But none of the other kids take their new director seriously, and when Charlie Brown passes over several Christmas trees which he believes embody the commercial exploitation of Christmas (and brings back a sagging relic of branch instead), the other kids fire him as director. Meanwhile, Snoopy is involved in decorating his doghouse with colorful flashing lights and other knick-knacks in an effort to win 1st Prize in a Christmas decorating contest. In the end, the other kids feel they've been too hard on Charlie Brown, and fix up his tree into a brilliant display Christmas beauty. Linus reveals the true meaning of Christmas by retelling a segment from the Gospels that recounts the story Jesus Christ's birth. Charlie Brown is finally happy and everyone sings Christmas carols.

One of the better parts of this TV special is when Charlie Brown goes hunting for a Christmas tree. Some of the trees are aluminum, which you rarely see today (especially those trees with the rotating colored lights underneath). Simply put, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a breath of fresh air - a thoughtful, funny, and highly entertaining show that the whole family can enjoy together. Parents and children are connected by the shared experience of this annual holiday affair, and parents don't have to worry about their children being exposed to a Janet Jackson "costume malfunction"!

The DVD Report

Absolutely awful.

I watched this Christmas special with an effort. When I think of bad Christmas movies, it's Santa Claus (1961), Santa with Muscles, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I can't believe this won an Emmy, Hollywood's most famous TV award! I would have to be on drugs in order to recognize it as such.

I beggar you not to listen to the others! It's not a Christmas classic, they're lying. How can a Christmas movie have touching up on a perfectly innocent tree, teasing C.B. because of the Christmas tree, and Lucy at the end saying dialogue that I try to forget:

"Charlie Brown IS a blockhead...but he gave us a nice tree."

Something that Ed Wood would perpetrate, in my highly professional opinion.

Even though this TV is now almost 40 years old, it has surely stood the test of time and is still relevant today. Basically, Charlie Brown is upset that Xmas has become too commercialised. He wants to enjoy it but can't because of the shallow, money-grabbing opportunity he sees all around him.

The gang try to cheer him up by letting them direct their Xmas play. He finds it a major stain at first but soon finds it easy being an artistic tyrant. But they need an Xmas tree and the only one Charlie can afford is practically a twig. It needs a lot of love, which the gang sure do give it.

Also this TV special also features something damn rare in Xmas movies these days; an actual dedication to Jesus. Now, I am not a puritan Christian but there are sooooo many movies that try to find the TRUE meaning of Xmas but none ever mention the birth of Jesus. Weird eh? Definitely one of the better Xmas specials and miles better than Mr Magoo Xmas Carol or Denver the Last Dinosaur Save Santa.

Second on this DVD is It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown. When compared to the original Charlie Brown Christmas this TV special seems to be less social commentary and more an excuse for gags. It's more cartoony and has more obvious laughs rather than any irony or important things to say.

There's another Xmas play in this 'un. Peppermint Patty is refusing to do any homework and is annoyed that Marcie is playing Mary and she is left with the thankless role of a sheep. Still, she's determined to steal as much scenery as possible. Charlie Brown is selling his old comics to buy an Xmas present for his wannabe girlfriend and his sister Sally has only one word to say in the play 'HARK' but she ends up yelling 'HOCKEY STICK' instead.

More like a series of Peanuts vignettes than a real TV special. But still nice.


The shorts are presented in perfectly adequate 1.33:1 fullscreen, as drawn, with Dolby Mono and Stereo tracks. There are no extras. Also, the Coca-Cola sponsorship ads have been edited out of this DVD.

...he's the Charlie Browniest!! I love Charlie Brown, and this Peanuts special is the best one of them all!! If you ever get to feeling like you've forgotten what Christmas is all about, sit down with your kids and watch. Linus will gently remind you that it's not about trees, or presents, or plays. It's about the birth of a baby that gave the world hope. No one has ever said it better! Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!!

Linus' recitation of the Bible and the gang's rendition of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" could make even Scrooge smile. And even Lucy van Pelt admits, "Charlie Brown is a blockhead, but he did get a nice tree." No secularism here.