Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Keira Brennan The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

Alasdair Orr Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

penchantpoetry A concept with potential, and it was fun to see these two holiday icons together, but...Rudolph's glowing nose didn't require the "explanation" offered in this film - much like The Force in the Star Wars films didn't need the explanation of "medichlorians in the bloodstream." But mainly, the film left me cold because of Winterbolt's over-complicated plot to destroy Santa. He's got the power to put suggestions into people's minds, so why does he do things in such a roundabout way? Breaking the magic of Rudolph's nose, framing Rudolph, threatening to melt the Frosty family...The comedically exaggerated plots of Pinky and the Brain and "Phineas and Ferb's" Dr. Doofenshmirtz (which are done that way on purpose and played for laughs) seem simple and straightforward compared to Winterbolt's, which we're expected to take somewhat seriously.There is a particularly (and amusingly) strange moment when a character throws her two guns at the bad guy, like boomerangs. I understand if they don't want to have guns being shot in a family film, but then why have guns in the first place?

Woodyanders The evil wizard Winterbolt (deliciously voiced with plummy aplomb by the great Paul Frees) gets reawakened from his centuries of slumber and decides to take over Christmas from Santa Claus. He gives Frosty the Snowman and his family magic amulets so they can go see a circus in July without melting. Moreover, Winterbolt tries to get Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to do something bad so his nose will go out. This typically pleasant and good-natured feature length holiday television program from the always reliable Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr. benefits greatly from a steady pace, nifty stop-motion animation, cool characters (Winterbolt's fearsome snow dragons are genuinely gnarly), a simple and engaging story, an amusingly easy'n'breezy sense of gentle humor, and plenty of catchy'n'merry songs. Moreover, the cast all voice their roles with tremendous flair and affection: Jackie Vernon as Frosty the Snowman, Shelley Winters as Frosty's sweet wife Crystal, Red Buttons as affable lovestruck ice cream salesman Milton, Ethal Merman as feisty cowgirl circus owner Lily Lorraine, Billie Mae Richards as the endearingly nasal Rudolph, Mickey Rooney as the warm and lovable Santa Claus, Shelby Flint as fetching high wire artist Laine Lorraine, and Alan Sues as nasty, jealous, spiteful outcast reindeer Scratcher. A really fun and entertaining show.

POPADLJM May I ask you how old is Rudolph? Is he supposed to be an adult or a kid because I think Rudolph has to be the strangest character with a mysterious age. This story changes from one topic to the other. First we see that Rudolph's nose goes out,then Winterbolt's story, the origin of Rudolph, and all the way back to Rudolph's nose. They also have Christmas topics and July topics at the same time. Another thing, why are Frosty and his family the same size as smurfs because Frosty's short comparing to some other characters.If Winterbolt wants children to love him better than Santa, then why couldn't he kidnap Rudolph and force him to guide him instead of trying to extinguish his nose. It would be easier for Winterbolt's plan to succeed in his goal. That should of been something Winterbolt tried to do. Winterbolt's Genie of the Ice Sceptor seems to be smarter than he is because he comes up with all the ideas and not him. I think Winterbolt's nothing without the Genie of the Ice Sceptor. When Rudolph defeated the snow dragons that Christmas Eve, Winterbolt did nothing to stop him.My favorite part of the movie is Scratcher because he's funny and he's deformed. Won't people find it strange seeing a talking reindeer, live snowmen, and a warlock with snakes for a sleigh team because I do. I love this movie but some of the things make no sense or switching one plot to the other........7/10..........

bgrubb *CONTAINS SPOILERS*This special cannot seem to make up it mind as to which holiday it is supposed to geared to. The main focus is on Christmas and the 4 of July idea seems to come out of left field. Also Rankin/Bass reuse the mailman character from "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" creating tons of confusion if you had seen the previous special. Adding to the confusion is that the Rankin/Bass claymation Christmas specials up to this point could be woven into a kind of continuity: "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" , then "Year Without a Santa Claus", followed by "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and finally "Rudolph's Shiny New Year."This doesn't fit into ANY of that and in fact contradicts some ideas in those specials.The biggest problem though is the villain Winterbolt. In contrast to other Rankin/ Bass villains (preredemption Winter Warlock for example) he doesn't look the part. Furthermore when Lady Boreal imprisons him for being 'evil' it not exactly detailed on what he was doing that warranted such treatment (This also ignores the Winter Warlock presented in the 1970 Rankin/Bass "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" which delt with Santa's origin.)When Lady Boreal power weakens and Winterbolt wakes up he learns of Santa Claus' existence and decides to rule the world by taking Santa's place. This is where Winterbolt's second problem comes up; he can't seem to make decisions on his own and as a result continually asks his Snow Genie for advice. It is in following this advice that Winterbolt does his 'evil'. As a result Winterbolt comes of as a pathetic pawn of the Snow Genie rather than the strong willed villain he is supposed to be and certainly not deserving of the fate he has at the end of the film.