 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Review Date: November 2, 2006
- NR
- Genre: Classic
- 1964
Common Sense Media says
Old-school, heartwarming classic for all ages.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Rudolph's story has a great message about nonconformity: Just be yourself, don't worry if you don't fit in, get the support of other "misfits," and you'll find that there's strength in numbers. Kids older than 4 will likely get the message, and for those younger than that, the cute little reindeer and all the musical numbers -- as cheesy and outdated as they might seem now -- will hold their interest. Even the show's "scary" antagonist, the Abominable Snow Monster (or "Bumble"), seems harmless, especially by today's standards.
What's the story?
Burl Ives, in the guise of Sam the talking snowman, narrates the tale of a misfit reindeer named Rudolph (voiced by Billie Mae Richards) who's finally appreciated by peers and parents when Santa (Stan Francis) discovers the usefulness of his light-bulb nose to guide the sleigh during a terrible snowstorm on Christmas Eve. (But, of course, you already know the song: "All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names.") Rudolph finds his compatriot in an elf named Hermey (Paul Soles) who has become disillusioned with his job making toys and dreams of becoming a dentist -- which is, of course, out of the question for elves. Hermey and Rudolph run away from the North Pole together and, with new friend Yukon Cornelius (Larry D. Mann), make it to the Isle of Misfit Toys. Here they find company among others who stand out from the crowd.
Is it any good?
This classic holiday TV special -- the highest-rated, longest-running in TV history -- seems almost inextricable from the idea of Christmas. Parents will no doubt have memories of this delightful film, which first aired in 1964, from their own childhoods. And you can't watch it without appreciating the simplicity of a pre-computer-animation world. Just hearing Ives' voice and songs transports you back to a simpler time, when Christmas didn't hold as many TV-viewing options and McDonald's wasn't part of the marketing deal.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what it means to not fit in with the crowd.
How would you feel if no one wanted to be your friend because you were
different?Families can also talk about the fact that Rudolph, who
doesn't get much support from his father, decides to run away from
home.Could Rudolph have found another way to express his feelings
about not being accepted?
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- All members
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Perfect Christmas Movie!!!!
Loved It Since I Saw It And It Was A Christmas Tale About Rudolph!
Gave Me Positive Messages That Being A Misfit And Wanting To Fit In Was That You Had To Be In Numbers And Just Get The Support Of Other Misfits!
And The Bumble Snowmonster In This Scene Tried To Hurt Clarice But Rudolph Stopped Him And He Got Attacked But Survived And He Went To Santa's Workshop And Was Brave And Showed Everyone That Being A Misfit Worked For Him And He Guided Santa's Sleigh A Great Tale And A Nice Storyline About How Rudolph Changed Christmas!
And No Profanity But Still A Fun Movie To Rent And Watch With Family's Together For Christmas!
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AGE
Perfect for everyone!
This movie is so cute! Rudolph is adorable! This movies for everyone!
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AGE
Fun for my 3 yr old!
Our daughter loves this movie. She watched it last year when she was about 2 1/2 and loved it. The snow monster is a bit scary, but she handled it just fine and continued on watching the movie. That is the only part that is a bit iffy.
This year, the snow monster doesn't phase her too much. She talks about him being scary, but she is more interested in Santa and Rudolph that the monster isn't such a big deal. I think it is a great Christmas classic for kids!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 23, 2011
AGE
Good movie but pretty violent
Good Christmas special but the yeti may scare kids.
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AGE
too scary for 4 yr old
My 4 1/2 year old was terrified of the snow monster. I left the room for a bit while he was watching and came back to him huddling under the couch sobbing from fright. He is on the sensitive side, but I think this is better for older children.
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AGE
Bumbles Bounce!
Our kids love it. The snow monster is a little scary, but after a few viewings the kids don't even flinch.
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AGE
Love the movie, but really it's full of horrible messages and scary scenes
Let me start by saying this was a childhood favorite of mine, my kids love it, and we watch it all the time. That said, the bumble is terrifying, as is the parental separation and peril. The sexist language is ridiculous. Even Santa bullies Rudolph. We make this into some warm-and-fuzzy story, but really it's a story showing that if you're a misfit you will not be valued until you can be exploited for your difference - at which time you're just valued for that usefulness and not just for being you. Love the movie for sentimental reasons, but feel like a bad mom every time I watch it and cringe!
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AGE
A stupendous Christmas that give all the rest a run for thier money! Spectacular charecters like Rudolph and his friends teach kids to follow thier dreams and work toward thier goals. They'res just one little iffy thing that mom's won't like where Rudolphs dad tells her that he should find they're lost son because he's the man. Theres also a huge monster that may look evil to really little kid's but you see he has a warm heart in the end of the movie.
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AGE
My favorite Christmas special growing up and my family and I still love it. Only concern is that very small children might be a bit frightened by the abominable snowman :)
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| Studio: | Sony Wonder |
| Director: | Larry Roemer |
| Cast: | Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Paul Soles |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 53 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 6, 1964 |
| DVD release date: | August 31, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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