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The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

G Released Nov 23, 1966 1h 35m Kids & Family Holiday Fantasy List
Reviews 28% Audience Score 1,000+ Ratings
Children unite to help Santa Claus (Alberto Rabagliati) and his wife, whose heartless landlord (Rossano Brazzi) wants the rent. Read More Read Less
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The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

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Critics Reviews

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Tracy Moore Common Sense Media Maudlin tone and overly long, but some lessons in kindness. Rated: 3/5 Oct 29, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This movie can be reviewed in only one word: "Why?!" Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Growing up in the late 70's and early 80's, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't actually was one of my family's annual must-watch seasonal movies. It's easy to like as a child but I can see how an adult might find it quaint with its moderate-budget quality and not-entirely-synched vocal audio. For myself, I watch it every year either from the DVD that I own or I find it on a streaming service. I'm sure it's a bit of seasonal nostalgia, but I truly do enjoy the movie. The characters are quirky and sometimes weird but also likable. The story is pretty basic with a feel-good ending. What has stuck with me the most over the years is the music, songs and lyrics -- they're just fun and can easily get stuck in your head. If you ever come across this movie (it's streaming free on three services right now - in high-definition!), give it a try. Keep in mind it's over fifty years old with imperfect audio dubbing and certainly not a high budget. If it were more well known, I think it could easily be a classic holiday favorite. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member It's like... Yeah it shouldn't have been made, just based on like, story and stuff, but on top of all that The Christmas That Almost Wasn't just screws up so many times. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member The only reason I have this film two stars is because it's so terrible that it's actually quite funny in some instances. The movie has a strange and weak plot, many failed attempts at humor, and all the charm of the grinches green taint. A strange Italian trainwreck of a Christmas movie. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member There is potential here, but it's not fully realized. Quirky kids might be charmed by the film's dubbed Italian weirdness. Prune, Blossom & Jonathan are great characters. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member I have been accused of loving any Christmas movie. This was horrible. Streak is broken. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Children unite to help Santa Claus (Alberto Rabagliati) and his wife, whose heartless landlord (Rossano Brazzi) wants the rent.
Director
Rossano Brazzi
Producer
Barry B. Yellen
Screenwriter
Paul Tripp, Rossano Brazzi
Production Co
Bambi Productions, Childhood Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 23, 1966, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 16, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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