Simple Gifts

December. 03,1977      
Rating:
8
Trailer Synopsis Cast

A collection of animated Christmas shorts: An original Maurice Sendak piece about a boy with nothing to give for Christmas -- An excerpt from the early part of Virginia Woolf's "Orlando" set in a time of extreme cold in Tudor England -- A short based on the Toonerville Trolley -- A bittersweet excerpt from Moss Hart's autobiography "Act One" narrated by Jose Ferrer -- A reading from the Christmas day entry from the diary of 11-year-old Teddy Roosevelt -- A reading of a letter by Captain Edward James Hulse describing the surprising Christmas Truce of 1914 -- An animated version by R.O. Blechman of his own book "Tutto Esaurito" (No Vacancy) about the travels of Mary and Joseph.

Colleen Dewhurst as  Self - Host
Hermione Gingold as  Narrator (segment "The Great Frost") (voice)
José Ferrer as  Narrator (segment "A Memory of Christmas") (voice)
Paul Dooley as  (segment "Lost & Found") (voice)

Reviews

Crwthod
1977/12/03

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

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ActuallyGlimmer
1977/12/04

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

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Robert Joyner
1977/12/05

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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Paynbob
1977/12/06

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

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