A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES takes you on a lyrical journey back to the magic and marvel of boyhood where no two moments were ever alike and life was embraced with belief instead of doubt. On this special Christmas Eve, O... more »ld Geraint shares these heartwarming memories with his dearly loved grandson, Thomas. In one evening he does more than recall his cherished youth . . . he relives it.« less
"I am really surprised that it took so long for "A Child's Christmas in Wales" to appear on DVD. The piece is an extraordinary immersion in nostalgia, which can be appreciated by all ages...by everyone who remembers what it's like to be a child at Christmastime.
The casting is perfection, the settings spot-on, and Dylan Thomas' work comes alive vividly before your eyes.
So well does this film conjure the savory smells coming from the Christmas-Day kitchen, when all the women are busy preparing the meal, that one's mouth waters. We can't help but laugh at the uncles, who having stuffed themselves to capacity, loosen their belts and fall asleep in that fine sleeping time post-revelry. And then there is that wonderful moment, at the end of the day, when Christmas carols are sung and a weary child is tucked into bed, head still full of Christmas pleasures...
"A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a warm and poignant treat for the senses and for the heart. I give it five stars enthusiastically, and look forward to our annual viewing. It has become a family tradition.
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A "must see" each Christmas
Dorothy Graeham | Carnegie, PA , USA | 12/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a delightful story of a young boy in Wales. It commences with the grandfather and his grandson at the home of the child's parents on a Christmas Eve.(The narrator and grandfather played by Denhom Elliott) The child is given a beautiful snowglobe by his grandfather as a Christmas gift. The grandfather had received the snowglobe many, many years earlier when he was a boy and the child asks "tell me about your life when you were young, Grandad" -- so the story begins of Christmas's long gone by in Wales, Gt. Britain. The story is simple, Dylan Thomas' words are beautiful, and this is a video that can be watched every holiday season by all the family. I encourage everyone with young children to see it. Life was much simpler in those days. Hopefully it will never go out of print."
Living a CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
Janice J. Currie | Pittsford, NY | 12/19/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This lovely, sensitive interpretation of Dylan Thomas's poem is loyal to the original, but adds appropriate dialogue and a wonderland of touching pictures and characters. We have viewed it for the first time and are drawn into the film at every new frame. It seems just right for all ages and makes one quite nostalgic for the days of our youth and those special times with family and friends when small towns and simple acts meant love was every where around us. We recommend it."
A Christmas gem!
Janice J. Currie | 11/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a beautifully realized film of Dylan Thomas's prose poem, "A Child's Christmas in Wales." The poem, wonderfully narrated by Welsh actor Denholm Elliott, is set within a framing story of a grandfather (Elliott) telling his young grandson about his own childhood Christmasses. The casting is marvelous and the cinematography is good, but it is Dylan Thomas's words and Elliott's narration of them that lifts this film into the ranks of Christmas classics. I saw it first on PBS, and was delighted to see it come out on video. Watching it each year has become a family tradition."
The spirit of Christmas caught on film!
Hazey Lanes | Irvine, CA | 08/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You will love this!!
Having never seen an adaptation of "Child's Christmas" on TV, I was really pleased to see a VHS of this a few years ago in the video shop. We rented it and loved it - and now its on DVD for all to see and cherish! Any human of 5 years age or older will not fail to be captivated by this.
The production shifts between a 'modern' family's Christmas eve and the half-remembered Christmas celebrations from the 'modern' grandfather's (Denholm Elliott) childhood. The family home is the same for both time periods, itself becoming a key character within the piece.
Dylan Thomas' poem is left intact and is BEAUTIFULLY and IMAGINATIVELY brought to life by a talented cast of Welsh actors, who act and sing their way with almost uncanny passion. The humor of the verse is actually improved by several visual gags.
For me, this is the best portrayal of Christmas ever filmed, with the possible exception of the last scene of a good "Christmas Carol". There is no suggestion of the ' freedom from avarice' theme that is key to "Crhistmas Carol", "Miracle on 34th St" and the newer Christmas productions. The spirit is entirely one of nostalgia, love and reflection -- surely those are the best emotions of all.