The Night the Animals Talked

This special was broadcast at least four times on ABC: December 9, 1970; December 17, 1971; December 15, 1972; December 15, 1973.

It is a pity that that THE NIGHT THE ANIMALS TALKED isn't shown much any more (though it has appeared on PBS and USA Network in recent years). It is a unique and gentle tale, one that gets its message across without preaching to the viewer. Along with Charlie Brown, the Grinch and Rudolph, it is one of my all-time favorite Holiday specials. It is a true Christmas classic.

It's a shame this movie is so unrecognized as a Christmas classic. It's a wonderful story.

I saw this as a child when it was first shown in 1970, and was so moved I cried...and when I found it on the USA Network in 1998 I watched it again, to see if my five-year-old tears held up--and sure enough, it choked me up again.

Not the greatest of animation...but the storyline and climax will hook you in, and never let you go. A forgotten Christmas classic that deserved much more than its single 1970 showing on network TV--search for it during the holidays...it's worth it.

this film is terrific and should be shown every christmas, just as rudolph the red nose reindeer is. it is just as good. why have i never seen a rerun of it? . it is terrific and if it were real life would be better if animals did talk.

I've been looking for a copy of this for years! I vividly remember seeing it on TV among all the other Christmas specials(must have been about seven years old at the time), and to this day can recall certain scenes. I remember my sister and I watching avidly, and crying because we were so touched by the animals' plight as they tried to share good news. Over the years, I've searched the net.... have even rung TV stations to see if they had any details about it in their archives. This site is the first time I've tracked down any useful information. It would bring back a lot of happy memories if I could ever secure a copy of this film to watch with my family. A true little gem - considering how much junk is displayed on TV at this (and every other!) time of year, it's a great pity that this has never been shown again on Australian television.