🎬 Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection – Review of the Blu-ray Edition
Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray with restored artwork
My Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.8 / 5
The Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray gathers nearly two decades of beloved stop-motion and animated holiday classics into one definitive release. For many, these films are not just seasonal entertainment but cherished memories, handed down through generations. Restored for high-definition viewing, this set brings together the unmistakable charm of Rankin and Bass’s “Animagic” process with timeless music and heartfelt storytelling. It is both a nostalgic treasure and a restoration triumph, celebrating over fifty years of holiday television magic.
About Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection
Synopsis: This collection compiles eighteen unforgettable Rankin and Bass productions, from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) to The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985). Across these tales, animated and stop-motion worlds blend to create songs and stories that define the modern Christmas imagination. The collection includes Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, and The Year Without a Santa Claus, capturing the spirit of kindness, redemption, and festive wonder that continues to enchant viewers of all ages.
Main Cast: Fred Astaire, Jimmy Durante, Mickey Rooney, Danny Thomas, Burl Ives, Andy Griffith, Angela Lansbury
Classic stop-motion artistry brings the holiday season to life
🎞️ Performance & Audio/Visual Presentation
Across this Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray, the restoration work is admirable. Colors are richer and the textures of the “Animagic” puppets now show extraordinary clarity without compromising the handmade warmth of the originals. The voices of legends such as Burl Ives and Mickey Rooney carry beautifully in the remastered audio tracks, each inflection preserved with care. Fred Astaire’s narration in Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town retains its theatrical rhythm, while Jimmy Durante’s familiar voice in Frosty the Snowman still fills the room with personality.
Meanwhile, the musical fidelity of “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” has been balanced and deepened, allowing the orchestration to ring out as it once did on 1960s television airwaves. This collection’s Blu-ray mastering captures both nostalgia and newfound precision, making it the best the Rankin and Bass films have ever looked or sounded in home format. The Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray proves that even half a century later, these performances still glow like the lights on a well-loved tree.
💡 Cinematography, Style & Direction
Rankin and Bass productions occupy a singular visual niche in animation history. Their meticulous use of miniature sets, painted skies, and stop-motion animation christened “Animagic” transformed television into a window on a winter dreamscape. In this Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray, lighting plays a pivotal role, capturing delicate shadows and the twinkle of frosty surfaces. Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass balanced whimsy with sincerity, creating cinematic poetry out of felt, wire, and patience. The Blu-ray format enhances these visual subtleties, revealing craftsmanship that earlier broadcasts could never show. In truth, it feels like rediscovering childhood memories in sharper focus.
🔍 What Worked & What Didn’t
✅ Restoration offers vibrant colors and crisp detail without artificial sharpness
✅ Classic musical performances retain their warmth and clarity
❌ Some television-originated audio still shows minor hiss or age
❌ A few later specials lack the storytelling strength of the early 1970s works
Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Official Blu-ray Preview
✅ Includes full feature films with Dolby 5.1 audio ✅ Bonus features: Puppet restoration, commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries ✅ Perfect for fans of vintage animation and holiday classics
Beloved characters from the Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray return in vivid clarity
📀 Bonus Features & Edition Highlights
The Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray stands out for its detailed restoration extras. “Restoring the Puppets of Rudolph” explores the original models’ rediscovery, while “The Animagic World of Rankin/Bass” documents the meticulous stop-motion process. Commentary tracks by animation historians Greg Ehrbar and Mark Evanier provide insight into production methods and the network premieres that first introduced these specials. Menu designs are simple but elegant, pairing sleigh-bell jingles with snowflake transitions. To complete the illusion, the color timing has been adjusted for natural contrast, making vintage reds, blues, and golds feel both nostalgic and cinematic.
🎯 Buyers’ Guide: Who Should Get It
Collectors, families, and film historians alike will find much to appreciate in the Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray. For long-time fans, this edition replaces years of faded television recordings with crystal-clear remasters. Parents introducing these tales to children will discover that the moral heart of Rankin and Bass kindness, courage, and generosity remains relevant. Even casual viewers who associate these specials with cozy December evenings will value having a permanent, high-quality set that unites them all. In truth, anyone with a soft spot for stop-motion storytelling will consider this a holiday essential.
🕰️ Why It Still Matters
More than a collection, this Blu-ray is a time capsule of optimism. The Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray preserves the artistry that defined 1960s and 1970s television holidays. Its influence stretches from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas to modern animated features that echo its charm. The moral simplicity faith in goodness, generosity, and imagination feels refreshing today. Each frame carries the fingerprints of artisans working with real light, miniature snow, and tangible characters. That human craftsmanship gives these films an emotional depth that computer animation rarely matches.
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 beautifully restored celebration of holiday storytelling that every collector should own.
In the 1960s, Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass founded a small studio that became synonymous with Christmas itself. Their partnership with Japanese animators produced a new visual language through meticulous stop-motion. The Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray captures this cross-cultural artistry, showing how a handful of artists gave life to felt puppets that would outlast empires of modern animation. The specials were filmed in Japan, edited in New York, and voiced by American stars a truly international holiday collaboration.
💿 Collector’s Notes
Packaging for the Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray reflects care and authenticity. The slipcover features embossed snowflake motifs and nostalgic artwork reminiscent of the original television ads. Inside, discs are neatly labeled by era and feature menus adorned with classic characters. A collectible booklet offers production trivia and song lyrics, making this set both functional and sentimental. The printing quality is rich and durable, a worthy addition to any serious holiday library.
📦 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 Rankin and Bass Christmas Collection Blu-ray 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.
💬 “Every frame glows with Christmas warmth these restorations are stunning.” – Verified Viewer
💬 “The best these classics have ever looked. A must for true collectors.” – Classic Collector
💬 “Finally, the Rankin and Bass magic preserved for a new generation.” – 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.
