Regular Price $19.95

Starring: Denholm Elliott,  Mathonwy Reeves,  Glynis Davies,  Michael Fawkes,  Jesse McBrearty, 
Directed By: Don McBrearty, 
Rated: G (General Audience)
Release Date: 1987-12-23
Studio: Henstooth Video
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about A Child's Christmas in Wales

Description
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, Old 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.

Amazon.com
This timeless tale is as wondrous as the story's snow globe, delivering with pristine gentleness a glimpse of a child's Welsh Christmas told from the remembrances of a kindly grandfather to his attentive grandson. Dylan Thomas' 1955 poem of the same name--originally written for radio--is richly adapted to the small screen by director Don McBrearty who brings to life an already masterful piece of prose, infusing it with even more grandeur through vivid costumes, scripting, and cinematography. Denholm Elliott is captivating, both as narrator and as Old Geraint, the grandpa who settles in on a rainy Christmas Eve to share with young Thomas (Mathonwy Reeves) his memories of Christmas past. Who can forget the fire in Mrs. Prothero's parlor; the unending snow, "a dumb, numb thunderstorm of white"; the Useless Presents, including the mewing moo; the Uncles "trying their new cigars"; and, always, the Aunties-- including Hannah, who customarily "laced her tea with rum." Gift-wrapped in delicate music by Lou Natale, the language, imagery, and subtle humor of this film--absent of stain and cynicism--makes for a suitably classic "annual family tradition." (All ages) --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews for A Child's Christmas in Wales

MY favorite Christmas story
I really love this movie. My grandparents came over from Wales and it makes me think of what their childhoods might have been like. It's a wonderful movie and I watch it every year, plus I purchased afew as gifts and everyone has loved it...A Child's Christmas in Wales

dear to my heart
have searched long and hard for this dvd....one of my most favourite Thomas creations...I know some libeties were taken with the story and text but still a gem! thank you some much for a very early Christmas present!A Child's Christmas in Wales

A Childs Christmas in Wales
Thank you so very much for this DVD. We didn't get our first mailing and you graciously gave us another with no charge. We will send back anything that may arrive at a later date.
Again, thank you for being so generous.
Diane BoehmA Child's Christmas in Wales

A Child's Christmas in Wales
A four-person, three-generation family tucked into a charming little cottage in Wales on Christmas eve. Grandpa's stories of the Christmases of his youth (Dylan Thomas' words brought to life by Denholm Elliott's wonderful face and marvelous voice and an extended series of beautifully filmed "flashbacks" to an earlier and even simpler time.)

It's everything you could want a Christmas eve story to be without any of the modern-day Santa Claus or superficially religious clap-trap. Wistful. Elegant. A thoroughly believable masterpiece.

No cynicism. No saccharine silliness. No "Little Drummer Boy" or "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Just a purity of purpose and performance that leaves one on the verge of tears and bliss simultaneously.

A Child's Christmas in Wales

A Gem of a Memoir
I have an LP recording of the story which is narrated by the author, Dylan Thomas. This beautiful film is surely the next best thing, if not better because it is enhanced by a sensitive and faithful dramatization. Denholm Eliot's narration does justice to Thomas' exquisite language.A Child's Christmas in Wales