🎬 The Little Drummer Boy – Review of the Classic DVD Edition
The Little Drummer Boy DVD Edition with original Rankin/Bass artwork
My Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.8 / 5
Before the age of glittering CGI and commercialized Christmas tales, there was The Little Drummer Boy a simple, tender, and deeply spiritual story that stood apart from the tinsel and noise. Produced by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass in 1968, this beloved stop-motion special brought the humble message of faith and forgiveness to living rooms across America. The DVD release preserves that same reverent tone with restored clarity and warmth, allowing a new generation to experience its timeless message. With its iconic “Animagic” animation, elegant narration by Greer Garson, and music performed by The Vienna Boys’ Choir, it remains one of the most moving Christmas films ever made.
About The Little Drummer Boy
Synopsis: The story follows Aaron, a young orphan who grows bitter toward mankind after losing his parents to violence. Accompanied only by his loyal animal companions, he travels the desert playing his drum, the only gift he cherishes. His journey ultimately leads him to Bethlehem, where he witnesses the birth of Christ. In one of the most poignant moments in television history, Aaron offers his simple drumming as a gift to the newborn child and in doing so, finds his heart healed by grace.
Main Cast: Greer Garson, José Ferrer, Paul Frees, June Foray, Ted Eccles
The Little Drummer Boy DVD Cover Art
🎞️ Performance & Audio/Visual Presentation
Greer Garson’s narration provides a distinguished emotional frame, carrying both the grandeur and intimacy of a classic Christmas storybook. Ted Eccles voices Aaron with innocence that feels authentic rather than sentimental, allowing viewers to truly feel his transformation. José Ferrer, as the cunning Ben Haramed, adds the right balance of greed and realism to the journey. Supporting voices from Paul Frees and June Foray legends of Rankin and Bass productions add richness to the ensemble.
The DVD’s restoration breathes new life into the 1968 original. Colors are vivid without compromising the earthy tone of the desert landscapes, and the stop-motion figures look more detailed than in past television airings. The sound design highlights Maury Laws’s delicate score, underscored by The Vienna Boys’ Choir’s ethereal vocals. Each note, particularly during the “Carol of the Drum” sequence, resonates with clarity and reverence. While minor film grain remains visible, it enhances rather than detracts reminding the viewer of its handcrafted artistry.
💡 Cinematography, Style & Direction
Under the direction of Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr., The Little Drummer Boy captures the feeling of an illuminated manuscript come to life. The careful lighting of each miniature set conveys the stark beauty of the desert and the holiness of Bethlehem’s night. Rankin and Bass’s hallmark “Animagic” style crafted by Japanese artisans gives motion to faith itself, every frame gently pulsating with humanity and hope.
Unlike many Christmas specials that rely on humor or spectacle, this one is contemplative. The pacing is measured, almost meditative, reflecting the solemnity of its source material. The directors employ restraint, letting music and expression carry the story. Visually, the contrast between Aaron’s anger and the glowing manger scene is breathtaking a cinematic metaphor for redemption made with figurines, felt, and extraordinary care.
🔍 What Worked & What Didn’t
✅ Powerful moral message and timeless music
✅ Beautiful stop-motion artistry and authentic voice performances
❌ Short runtime may leave some wanting more
❌ Minor flicker in restored scenes noticeable to modern viewers
The Little Drummer Boy Official DVD Preview
Trailer
✅ Includes full feature with restored sound and picture ✅ Bonus features: Rankin/Bass retrospective and music featurette ✅ Perfect for fans of timeless Christmas storytelling
The DVD release of The Little Drummer Boy treats the material with quiet respect. A short retrospective documentary examines the origins of the special and Rankin and Bass’s partnership with Japanese animators. The “Music of The Drummer Boy” featurette focuses on how Maury Laws and The Vienna Boys’ Choir built the film’s haunting soundscape. Menus are thoughtfully designed with soft carol arrangements, and subtitles are cleanly formatted. The transfer captures fine textures in the sand and fabric of each puppet a testament to the restoration team’s care. Though the extras are brief, the overall presentation feels heartfelt, maintaining the film’s sacred simplicity.
🎯 Buyers’ Guide: Who Should Get It
This DVD is ideal for collectors of Rankin/Bass classics, families seeking faith-based Christmas stories, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted animation. It bridges nostalgia with devotion, reminding viewers that holiday storytelling once carried quiet reverence. Parents will find its message of forgiveness and renewal perfect for younger audiences, while older fans will rediscover the emotional depth often missing in modern holiday fare. For those who grew up watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or The Year Without a Santa Claus, this edition completes the Christmas library with a spiritual cornerstone.
🕰️ Why It Still Matters
More than fifty years after its debut, The Little Drummer Boy still stands as the most reverent of the Rankin/Bass productions. It bridges art and faith with understated grace, asking nothing more than empathy. The story’s power lies in its humility no grand miracles, only a child’s gift given in love. Its continued popularity proves that sincerity never grows old. In a holiday landscape filled with commercial noise, this small, handcrafted miracle continues to beat softly in the background, reminding us why we celebrate at all.
Even as streaming dominates, discs like this remind movie fans what ownership feels like bonus content, artwork, and the satisfaction of a permanent copy. It’s a connection that algorithms can’t replace.
Final Verdict: A sacred and beautifully restored Rankin/Bass classic that captures the true spirit of Christmas.
Produced at MOM Production Studios in Tokyo, The Little Drummer Boy exemplified the refined art of Rankin/Bass’s “Animagic” process. Each puppet was meticulously hand-sculpted and moved frame by frame by Japanese animators under supervision from Tadahito Mochinaga, the pioneering stop-motion artist who defined the studio’s visual identity. Narrator Greer Garson recorded her parts in London, while the choir sequences were arranged in Vienna to achieve their celestial resonance. The care poured into this modest half-hour television special gave it a depth of soul that continues to inspire animators and storytellers worldwide.
💿 Collector’s Notes
This DVD edition of The Little Drummer Boy retains classic packaging with a soft matte finish and golden border surrounding the original promotional artwork. Inside, the disc features a minimalist design bearing Aaron’s silhouette against the star of Bethlehem. The menus play a gentle instrumental version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” setting a reverent tone before the film begins. Collectors will appreciate the sturdiness of the case, ideal for long-term display alongside other Rankin/Bass titles. As a physical keepsake, it serves both as nostalgic decoration and as a preserved piece of television history.
📦 Preservation & Collectors’ Care
Preservation Tip: Collectors who keep discs in climate-controlled shelves and handle them by the edges can expect decades of playback life. Avoid paper sleeves that scuff the surface; the original jewel case remains the safest long-term storage.
Physical media lasts far longer than most people realize when properly maintained. Store the The Little Drummer Boy DVD in its original case to prevent dust and scratching, and keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources that can warp discs. Light cleaning with a microfiber cloth from the center outward helps preserve playback quality. Many collectors now use archival sleeves and catalog systems, ensuring favorite titles like this one remain pristine for years to come.
Serious movie fans know that every well-kept disc becomes part of film history, a small archive of the era that streaming can never fully replace.
💬 “Still one of the most touching Christmas stories ever told.” – Verified Viewer
💬 “The Vienna Boys’ Choir makes this truly heavenly.” – Classic Collector
💬 “The restoration is gorgeous faith and art in perfect harmony.” – Longtime Fan
ML Lamp is the owner of Kilroy Was Here. After his 20 years of working in Las Vegas in the entertainment promotions field, Mr. Lamp retired in 2002 from his job to pursue his passion for collectibles. Now as a guest speaker and author he’s living the dream, and sharing his warmth with You.
