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A Christmas Story | 
 enlarge | Director: Bob Clark (iii)
Actors: Melinda Dillon, Darren Mcgavin, Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz (ii)
Studio: Warner
Category: Video
List Price: CDN$ 14.98
Buy Used: CDN$ 0.01
You Save: CDN$ 14.97 (100%)
Used (7) from CDN$ 0.01
Rating:  284 reviews
Sales Rank: 404
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.5 x 1.2
MPN: 65045
Model: 65045
ISBN: 0790743868
UPC: 012569504530
EAN: 9780790743868
Theatrical Release Date: November 18, 1983
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Save a tree, buy from Green Earth Books. Ships from USA; Allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. All books guaranteed. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse
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From Amazon.com
A Christmas Story is on its way to becoming an annual holiday classic, one to keep on the shelf with It's a Wonderful Life, the puppet-animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. It may have been directed by Bob Clark (responsible for the Porky's pictures), but it's based on the childhood memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd (from his hilarious book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash). And it is Shepherd's wry, deadly accurate, and gently nostalgic comic sensibility that shines through in this kid's-eye view of an all-American Christmas in the 1940s. All little Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants under the tree on Christmas morning is a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB rifle. He not only wants it, he's consumed with an aching desire for it. Unfortunately, his mother (Melinda Dillon) repeatedly crushes his dreams with the familiar, harsh mantra: "You'll shoot your eye out!" Among the movie's highlights are a surrealistic visit with little brother Randy to a department store Santa, and the childlike mixture of delight, pride, and awe with which Ralphie's dad (Darren McGavin) takes possession of a spectacularly gaudy prize he's won in a radio contest. McGavin should have won an award for his splendid comic work as a middle-aged-kid-turned-patriarch who alternates between grown-up temper tantrums and unabashed juvenile joy. --Jim Emerson
Additional Features
The kids take center stage for this 20th Anniversary edition DVD. For the commentary track, Peter Billingsley and director Bob Clark chummily reminisce on the making of the film, which seems to have been as delightful as the film itself. Because it was such a small film, Clark relates how they were left alone to do whatever they wanted, as long as fuddy-duddy author Jean Shepherd wasn't on the set. The new documentary features Billingsley and the three other former child actors' recollections about the shoot. The kids even help out with two trivia tests, but why is there nary a peep about or from co-stars Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin? Two 30-minute radio segments of Shepherd's reading his original stories is a nice touch for this double DVD set, as is a featurette about the real Red Ryder guns. Best yet, the film has never looked better, finally available in widescreen (along with pan and scan). --Doug Thomas
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| Customer Reviews: Read 279 more reviews...
 That BB gun....................., November 9, 2007
Jenny J.J.I. (That Lives in Northern Nevada)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The first time I watched this movie was at the age of ten and I love it ever since. Ralphie and his obsession with a Red Ryder BB gun is an annual classic. I think that everyone can relate to Ralphie's Old Man and his mother. Randy the little brother is adorable too. I watch this movie every year during the holidays. I laugh ever time I watch it. I think that everybody should have this movie it makes a very good Christmas present.
Set in the 40s, for those who grow up in the 60s could easily identify with the themes of "A Christmas Story". Contains great lessons for any rambunctious youngsters contemplating sticking their tongues to flagpoles in the dead of winter or playing around with BB guns. Absolutely PRICELESS and a must-have for holiday video collectors. You will laugh yourself senseless.
You'll shoot your eye out October 12, 2007
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
I was almost finished recording "A Christmas Story" on last Christmas morning. Fifteen minutes before it ended, my father walked in and said that we would get the special edition.
That I didn't go postal at losing an hour and a half on something that would shortly be redundant shows how much I love "A Christmas Story." This 1983 classic is not just a heartwarming little story about a loving (if bickery) family in the dour America of the late 1940s, but a hysterical comedy about what it's like to be a kid at Christmas.
Ralphie Parker's (Peter Billingsley) Christmas wishes are simple: a official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass and a "thing that tells time." But his mom says he'll shoot his eye out. So Ralphie begins a quiet crusade to get it as a present -- he writes an essay on it and even asks Santa, only to get the same terrible reply: "You'll shoot your eye out."
As the days tick down to Christmas -- with no sign of an air rifle -- Ralphie hits other obstacles when he clashes with bullies, says "the mother of all dirty words," and watches his parents battle it out over a tacky "major award" (leg lamp). But there are surprises in store for the Parker family on Christmas morning -- and some of them involve smelly bloodhounds.
Yes, the plot is pretty simple -- it's the delivery that makes it special. It's narrated by an adult Ralphie who offers his slightly sardonic take on everything ("We plunged into the cornucopia quivering with desire and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice"), mingled with a hint of nostalgia. And it's completely tuned in to how kids think, and how a toy can seem like the most important thing in the world.
Fortunately the scriptwriters never condescend to the audience by adding some kind of syrupy message -- after all, real life doesn't work that way. Instead there are all sorts of classic moments -- the leg lamp, Chinese turkey, the terrifying visit to Santa ("HOOOO HOOOO HOOO!"), and Ralphie's fantasies of defending his family with "Ol' Blue" against a bunch of inept, unarmed bandits.
And Jean Shepherd -- the co-writer and narrator of the movie -- deserves especial credit for bringing this movie to life. He covers the movie with a snowstorm of one-liners and hilarious dialogue: "Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap." "He looks like a pink nightmare!" "Oh FUUUDDDDGGGE!" and others.
Billingsley is a little stiff as Ralphie, but gives the portrayal of this everykid his charming, slightly frenetic best. Melinda Dillon and Darin McGavin are the comic geniuses here, with their slightly kooky but loving parents (one of the highlights is Dillon's "show me how the piggies eat!" scene, and McGavin's revolted response), and there's an array of very convincing bullies and classmates too.
"A Christmas Story" didn't get much notice when it came out in 1983. But now it's one of the quintessential holiday movies, and a must-see at Christmastime. HOOOOO HOOOOO HOOOO...
You'll shoot your eye out! February 23, 2007
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was almost finished recording "A Christmas Story" on this Christmas morning. Fifteen minutes before it ended, my father walked in and said that we would get the special edition.
That I didn't go postal at losing an hour and a half shows how much I love "A Christmas Story." This 1983 classic is not just a heartwarming little story about a loving (if bickery) family in the rather dour America of the late 1940s, but a hysterical comedy about what it's like to be a kid at Christmas.
Ralphie Parker's (Peter Billingsley) Christmas wishes are simple: a official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass and a "thing that tells time." But his mom says he'll shoot his eye out. So Ralphie begins a quiet crusade to get it as a present -- he writes an essay on it and even asks Santa, only to get the same terrible reply: "You'll shoot your eye out."
As the days tick down to Christmas -- with no sign of an air rifle -- Ralphie hits other obstacles when he clashes with bullies, says "the mother of all dirty words," and watches his parents battle it out over a tacky "major award" (leg lamp). But there are surprises in store for the Parker family on Christmas morning -- and some of them involve smelly bloodhounds.
Yes, the plot is pretty simple -- it's the delivery that makes it special. Narrated by an adult Ralphie who offers his slightly sardonic take on everything ("We plunged into the cornucopia quivering with desire and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice"), it's completely tuned in to how kids think, and how a toy can seem like the most important thing in the world.
Fortunately the scriptwriters never condescend to the audience by adding some kind of syrupy message -- after all, real life doesn't work that way. Instead there are all sorts of classic moments -- the leg lamp, Chinese turkey, the terrifying visit to Santa ("HOOOO HOOOO HOOO!"), and Ralphie's fantasies of defending his family with "Ol' Blue."
But Jean Shepherd deserves especial credit for bringing this movie to life, with a constant snowstorm of one-liners and hilarious dialogue: "Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap." "He looks like a pink nightmare!" "Oh FUUUDDDDGGGE!" and others.
Billingsley is a little stiff as Ralphie, but gives the portrayal of this everykid his charming, slightly frenetic best. Melinda Dillon and Darin McGavin are the comic geniuses here, with their slightly kooky but loving parents (one of the highlights is Dillon's "show me how the piggies eat!" scene), and there's an array of very convincing bullies and classmates too.
"A Christmas Story" didn't get much notice when it came out in 1983. But now it's one of the quintessential holiday movies, and a must-see at Christmastime.
An Acquired Taste December 15, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
When I was a kid, they used to make us watch this movie at school every Christmas, and I HATED it! I used to dread the last day of school before Xmas break, when I'd have to hear "Show me how a piggy eats!" However, as an adult, I have come to love this movie for the Christmas classic it is--it is right up there with "Rudolph". That said, if you are looking for a schmaltzy, syrupy sweet holiday movie, "A Christmas Story" is NOT for you. I mean, my favourite scene is when you get to hear poor Schwartz get beaten by his mom over the phone ("What'd I do?! Ow! Ahhh!"). If, like me, your list of good Xmas flicks includes things like "Christmas Vacation", or even "Gremlins", you may appreciate this movie. By the way, did anyone notice a grown up Peter Billingsley as an elf in the movie "Elf"?
 "Oh, I hate the smell of tapioca." July 4, 2004
Steven Y. (Marvel Universe 616)
3 out of 10 found this review helpful
Bob Clark's "A Christmas Story" is a cinematic slice of Americana. It chronicles an era long since gone when a BB gun was the dream present of every young child and when saying the wrong word would set up a meeting between your mouth and a bar of soap.Young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) longs for a Daisy Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action BB Gun and makes no secret that he wants one for Christmas. However, everyone in his northern Indiana town warns him that he will shoot his eye out if his wish is granted. Ralphie stubbornly refuses to waver and hopes against hope that his wish will be granted while navigating around the other problems in his life - a school bully, a brother who has outgrown his snowsuit, an aunt who thinks he's a girl, a hazardous visit to Santa Claus at the department store, a tongue stuck on a frozen lamp post, and a decoder ring that decodes an uninspiring message. There really is nothing that distinguishes "A Christmas Story" from your run-of-the-mill seasonal made-for-television Christmas production. The feeling of nostalgia that the film generates basically is its only notable aspect. The jokes are routine and the characters are the typical generic stock figures you would find in any modern Christmas tale. Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon are amusing as Ralphie's parents and Billingsley has a short of charm as young Ralphie, but the performances aren't special enough to elevate the material. "A Christmas Story" does a wonderful job of recreating a certain place and time. However, it does not accomplish much more than that. In the realm of big-screen Christmas features, "A Christmas Story" places somewhere in the middle of the pack.
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