The Little Drummer Boy

TV Movie
1968
Not Rated
25m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

6.7K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,057

1,154

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

6.7K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,057

1,154

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 reviews45

Review

Featured review

7/10

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Even if you're not into all that Jesus malarkey, you have to at least respect the story for giving us such a wonderful time of year. The Little Drummer Boy focuses on a boy filled with hate, and a man filled with greed. Their stories intertwine until they eventually cross paths with the song of God. Loved the songs and the animation has that old-fashioned quality that just doesn't date (if that makes any sense). The voice-work varied, sometimes being annoyingly slimy. It's a sweet tale that captures the meaning of Christmas, without ramming the religious aspects down the viewers throat. This should be an enjoyable watch for all.