The Best Christmas Pageant Ever DVD
by Richard Crick
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DVD details
Director: Richard CrickPrimary Contributor: Loretta Swit
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
Running Time: 60 unknown-units
Studio: Regency Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever DVD
DVD Review: Special Christmas movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This made for TV movie based on the book by Barbara Robinson does not feature the best actors or technical credits. In fact, some of the actors appear to be amateurs and the film, shot in Canada, was probably done on a barebones budget. But if you are the kind of viewer that can look beyond these shortcomings and you would enjoy a Christmas themed film with a deeper message than most of the typical irreligious holiday fare, then you may appreciate this movie. Second, because the story is set in a time significantly different from our own (although not that long ago), it provides some thought-provoking commentary on where we are headed as a society.
The story is a cheerful comedy about the annual Christmas program at a typical small town/small-city church. The most feared family of young troublemakers in the community, the six Herdman siblings, take it into their heads to start attending Sunday School because of the free food. As a result, they hear about the upcoming Christmas pageant and decide they want all the major roles--Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men and the lead angel. The other children are so frightened of them that they don't try for these parts themselves, leaving the lead roles to the Herdmans. The Herdmans turn out to be completely ignorant of the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus. Their ignorance of the Bible and their rough ways make everyone in the church fear that the pageant will be a riotous failure. But the Herdmans hear the Christmas story with fresh ears and open hearts, transforming the routine and humdrum Christmas pageant in the process.
There is a profound and very old truth at the heart of this story--that it is often the social outcasts and misfits who best appreciate the coming of Jesus that is celebrated at Christmas. They are the ones who recognize their need for a Savior, as they are not self-satisfied and complacent because of their abilities, achievements, wealth, education and activities. Everyone except for the Herdmans are too familiar with the Christmas story, to the point that they miss its real meaning. But because the Herdmans catch a glimpse of the real wonder and power of the birth of Jesus, the Christmas pageant is transformed for the entire church.
My daughter was in a children's theater production of this drama. Many of the children in her play were like the Herdmans in one regard---they were not familiar with the basic Bible stories, including the Nativity. What has changed since this story was written is that it has become the norm for families to not attend church and to raise their families in complete ignorance of the Bible, whether as a religious text or simply one of the great foundational writings of human history. This development makes the story dated in that less viewers appreciate, let alone understand, the contrast between the Herdmans and their neighbors. Skipping the obvious question of what Biblical illiteracy means for our society, I am at least comforted by the record of the Herdmans. Perhaps more people in our day will hear the Christmas story with honest interest and open ears, considering whether or not the baby Jesus came into this world for their benefit.
Description of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever DVD
Warm and wonderful holiday special stars Loretta Swit as the "caretaker" for several delinquent youngsters. How she keeps them in line while staging the town's annual Christmas play makes for a heartfelt story of love and faith. 60 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.Bestsellers in DVD
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