The Little Drummer Boy

TV Movie
1968
Not Rated
25m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

6.5K

YOUR RATING

Holiday Animation Holiday Family Stop Motion Animation Animation Drama Family Fantasy Holiday Musical

An orphan drummer boy who hates humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men en route to Bethlehem.An orphan drummer boy who hates humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men en route to Bethlehem.An orphan drummer boy who hates humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men en route to Bethlehem.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

6.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Ben Haramed
(voice)
(as Jose Ferrer)

Paul Frees

Aaron's Father, the Magi
(voice)

June Foray

Aaron's Mother
(voice)

Ted Eccles

Aaron
(voice)
(as Teddy Eccles)

Greer Garson

Our Story Teller
(voice)
(as Miss Greer Garson)

Wiener Sängerknaben

Themselves
(voice)
(as The Vienna Boys Choir)

Directors
Writer
- Romeo Muller
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When restoring the film in 1998 for its 30th anniversary, it was found that the original master 35mm elements for the film were lost. As such, 16mm B-roll footage had to be used instead. Although the sound quality was improved, a majority of the sound effects were lost and a crucial piece of narration by Greer Garson was mistakenly replaced by a scratch track of Paul Frees voicing the line.

Goofs
In some copies of the video, the narration switches from Greer Garson to Paul Frees. At the very end, where the Greer Garson narration begins "and as Aaron looked at the babe..." the voice is that of Paul Frees. This mistake is due to the fact that when restoring the film in 1998 for its 30th anniversary, it was found that the original master 35mm elements for the film were lost. As such, 16mm B-roll footage had to be used instead. Although the sound quality was improved, a majority of the sound effects were lost and a crucial piece of narration by Greer Garson was mistakenly replaced by a scratch track of Paul Frees voicing the line.

Quotes
Our Story Teller: Aaron's heart was filled with joy and love. And he knew at last that the hate he had carried there was wrong. As ALL hatred will ever be wrong. For more powerful, more beautiful by far than all the eons of sadness and cruelty and desolation which had come before, was that one tiny, crystalline second of laughter. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Crazy credits
The Rankin-Bass logo at the end plays in complete silence.

Alternate versions
The original 1968 release contained several bumpers narrated by Greer Garson thanking the original sponsor, the American Gas Association with one bumper containing a photo of herself. These have since been edited out of prints since the 1970's.

Connections
Featured in Desert Winds (1994)

Soundtracks
The Little Drummer Boy
Written by Katherine K. Davis and Henry Onorati
Arranged by Harry Simeone
Performed by Wiener Sängerknaben (as The Vienna Boys Choir)

User reviews43

Review

Featured review

precious

It reminds the meaning of Christmas. The only meaning and it does that in splendid - touching manner. The story of Aaron is the story of its public, reminding the cure for angry, frustrations, pain. And the story of the little drummer is impeccable crafted. A sort of letter from far land, from us, to us . Because it is inspired animation, lovely story and remember of the help who only a King can do it. A film like an refuge , profound useful to see it, near the Christmas, for prepaire the feast of Birth of the Saviour in your heart, with care, love and mercyful consideration.