Deanna
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
SimonJack
This is one of those films in which Christmas enters the picture only at the end. That, along with the significance and the title, are what makes this a Christmas movie. Otherwise, this is a fine drama about a girl who grows up in an orphanage – actually two different ones. Mention orphanage as a movie subject to some people, and you know you'll have to bring out the tissue box. When the story is as good as this one, I've been known to use a tissue myself. This is a very good story, introduced and ended by a woman who is the main character, Rose, looking back on her life. She was left on the doorstep of an orphanage home run by Mrs. Hartley (played by Nancy Stafford). By the time she was about 11 years old, an influenza epidemic broke out in their town. Actor Ed Herrmann in a featurette with this movie says the story takes place around 1917. I don't think there is a specific time named in the book or screenplay, but it would likely to have been 1918. From March to November of that year, the worst epidemic in American history occurred when an outbreak of Spanish flu killed more than 500,000 people. Rose (played by Bailee M. Johnson) first losses her friend, Felicity, who dies. Others in the home get the flu, and finally Mrs. Hartley (played by Nancy Stafford) is stricken and dies. There is never an explanation of authorities in the film, which is OK, except that we don't know on what basis the people in the town where Mrs. Hartley lived, saw to the closing of her orphanage home and placement of the children. All of the several children are "taken" by local residents for adoption, except for Rose and her friend, Josephine (Anne Burton). They are split up and sent off to different orphanages. A Wicked Witch of the West type person, Miss Gladstone (Elizabeth Hales) overseas the closing and delivery of Rose to Irongates Orphanage- someplace a considerable distance by a day's train ride. It is at Irongates that most of the story takes place. Ed Herrmann plays Mr. Crampton, who runs the orphanage by the rules. He himself was an orphan, along with his brother Joe, played by Bruce Newbold. Yolanda Wood plays Polly, the cook and general supervisor in the absence of Crampton. Savanna K. Lewis plays Rose's new friend at Irongates, Emily. As the promotion of the film states, the plot from here on is about Rose's kindness effecting changes at Irongates, including a conversion of Mr. Crampton, from his hardened persona to a kind person. There's more to the story that makes this all the more interesting. The movie is based on a very short children's book by the same title, written by Linda Bethers in 1999, and illustrated by Ben Sowards. Bethers is an elementary school librarian in Utah. The book was just 13 pages. It was reprinted in 2002 and expanded to 32 pages. The DVD of this film has an interesting featurette, but IMDb doesn't have a listing for this short documentary. "Christmas Oranges Behind the Scenes" runs seven minutes and 20 seconds, and has film clips with comments by various people. Among those are Sally Meyer who wrote the screenplay, John Lyde who directed the film, Paul D. Hunt the producer, actor Ed Herrmann and Bailee who played Rose. Meyer explained the challenge of writing a screenplay from such a short story to make a full-length movie. Lyde said that gave them the opportunity to develop the characters more. Meyer said that Crampton's stern character was based on his own upbringing and desire to protect the children. There's more in the short, and I think it's a good companion to help understand the film, which otherwise isn't situated in a specific time or place. The documentary is © 2012 by Christmas Oranges Picture, LLC. Ron Borough produced and directed it. It was edited by Spencer Atamanczyk. Camera and sound were done by Michael Borough and others. Audio mixing was by Blair Leishman, and music was by James Shafer. One thing strange about the film listing on IMDb and elsewhere is its release date. IMDb shows the only release date to be 23 Oct 2015 (DVD premiere) in Germany. "Christmas Oranges" is an endearing movie that it might be very good for children to see especially.
bkoganbing
I doubt that most viewers will know anyone other than Edward Herrmann and Nancy Stafford from Christmas Roses. Still it's a wonderful family film produced it looks like under Mormon auspices.The two are the heads of a pair of orphanages the girl who grows up to be Bailee Michelle Johnson is placed. They couldn't be more opposite in their approach. Stafford kind of reminds me of Greer Garson when she played Edna Gladney in Blossoms In The Dust. The baby named Rose is just left on the door of her orphanage and she's just taken no questions asked. In fact Stafford because she came as an infant just regards her as her own.But in what looks like an influenza epidemic many of the kids died and so does Stafford. The survivors are either adopted or scattered to other orphanages. And Johnson comes under the care of Edward Herrmann, a most strict man who is all about the rules.Johnson who took her life lessons from Stafford turns out to be tougher than you would think. She not only takes a lot of buffeting, but she also softens a few hearts as well.I agree with the other reviewer in that Christmas Oranges even under religious auspices never gets preachy. It's a nice family film and should be seen.
farbitmesay
Loved this darling movie. It is well written, flows nicely, the camera work, settings and acting is flawless. An absolute gem. It is sort of along the same storyline of a Dickens novel. I love finding sweet movies like this. This is one you can watch with the whole family and not have one cringe at all! So do yourself a favor and watch it. I am going to watch it again with my whole family in attendance. Our grandparents have told us stories of how special it was to receive an orange at Christmas and many of us put them out now as a tradition. It is fun to see how excited the children so long ago were over something we take for granted. What a stark contrast to what our children now a days get excited for at Christmas. If all they got was an orange boy would they be disappointed. Bravo to the cast & crew. Sad movies like this don't get more attention.
deborahseeley54
I just watched Christmas Oranges for the first time today! What an absolutely wonderful movie. It is now on my list of must watch films at Christmas! Another great Nancy Stafford film! Edward Herrmann was wonderful as usual.All the acting was great. I recommend this movie for all ages. Great movie of forgiveness that shows that it's never too late to change and that a kind word goes far!Please get this film and share it with family and friends. Would also make a good movie to have at church for movie night! A great family film! Kudos all around! Don't wait a minute more....go out and get this movie and share!
