The Christmas Toy

Fans of Jim Henson, like me, will simply love The Christmas Toy. I love Christmas, toys and Jim Henson's work so The Christmas Toy was a perfect treat.

The visuals are splendid, right from the camera work, the toys themselves, the set design and the colours. The music delights too, with hummable melodies and lyrics that really sparkle with wit, freshness and poignancy.

Story-wise, The Christmas Toy has lots of charm and heart, and succeeds in appealing to children and adults. The writing has a perfect balance of humour and sentiment without overdoing either.

Might I also mention how adorable the characters are and how consistently good the voice work is from everybody? Overall, a jewel that anybody would love, albeit sadly underrated. 10/10 Bethany Cox

As the mother of two females, I would recommend this movie, even to the young of heart. We first saw this movie when my youngest, must have been around 2 1/2. Her older sister, who is now an elementary educator was around 9 1/2. We loved this movie. I had taped this to a VHS tape that no longer works. I have been looking for it for quite some time and watching for it on TV. I was afraid I had the title incorrect. As we are about to become grandparents, for the first time, I would love to obtain a DVD for our future generations to enjoy. I would love to have my (soon to be) grandchildren see this "classic" when they are visiting their grandparents. What a wonderful tradition we can start. It's a wonderful movie and I am so glad I finally found it. Thank you Jim Henson!

This is a great movie I always enjoyed as a kid watching every Christmas. I was only four when the movie came out but my parents taped it and we watched it every year after that point. My sister now has my parents copy and she watches it with her children. My niece loves it. It is a great Christmas movie for all ages. I wish they would re-release it on DVD. I love the movie and want a new copy of it. I looked for it on amazon and someone was trying to sell a used VHS copy for $100. I could not believe it. I would prefer it on DVD due to VHS tape not working after time. I would even enjoy seeing it on TV again. This is a movie to share with generations to come. Animation of the past shared with the future.

I watch this Henson film every Christmas & it never fails to move me. It has that essential combination of tears, laughter, story, great characters & song.

Rugby, a conceited, cuddly tiger & Mew, a sweet, loyal cat toy lead an irresistable cast. Their friends include a doll, a ride-on horse, an old teddy, a robot & every kind of toy you can imagine. Will capture the hearts of adults & children alike. 10/10

On Xmas Eve 1986 I saw the first 10 minutes of this special but I had to go out and I missed the rest of it. The idea of toys coming alive might not seem like such a new idea in post-Toy Story world, but since this is live-action, and uses the talents of Jim Henson, I'd prefer this over the Pixar behemoth.

The story is virtually identical to Toy Story, with toy boss Rugby (a stuffed lion) not too keen on his rule being usurped by the imminent unwrapping of this year's present. The Christmas Toy has a new edge though in that if the humans catch them out of their reset position they remain frozen forever.

It's shot and lit in a magical way though it goes on just a bit too long. I am still glad I finally managed to figure out what exactly it was, it only took me 27 years.