The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)

I thought of this movie just today but couldn't remember the name of it. I called my mom, who was a teacher at the time I saw the movie at school, and ask her if she remembered the movie so I could search for it online. She didn't help a bit. So, I called my brother to see if he remembered it and he had no clue. So I ended up just browsing threw all online Christmas movies to find it. Now I'm 23 years old and I watched that movie when I was in 3rd grade! I remember all of it! My teacher, where we watched the movie and everything! I have bought the movie and my Husband and I are taking it this year to our family get-together for our whole family to watch. A definitely Must See!!!

Many people have been involved in a church Christmas pageant at one time or another, so there was bound to be a story like this. Take a typical middle-class family (the Bradleys) involved in a typical middle-class church Christmas pageant, a little uptight and steeped in tradition, and throw in some lower-class ruffian kids (the Herdmans) who take starring roles. This movie is a little different from the novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but that should be okay, because Barbara Robinson wrote them both. It seems like the book did say that the narrator figured that the Herdmans were going to hell, while the movie has her say she figured they were going to the devil. I suppose "devil" was supposed to be less offensive than "hell," but I'd rather have the narrator say "hell" like in the novel. Loretta Swit from M*A*S*H plays the mother directing the pageant. You might think this would be an unlikely role for her, but she does a good job.

This movie is so great on so many levels! One moment you are touched and the next you are rolling on the floor laughing! I think what makes this movie so enjoyable is the fact that we can all identify with it! We all have gotten roped into volunteering when we don't want to and we all know a family just like the Hermans! Watch it!!!!

This movie was such so touching to my daughter (who was approx 5 when she saw the show) My Best friend has 4 daughters who then ranged in ages 11 down to twins 6 yrs old. This had to be one of the most touching movies for these girls to ever view on t.v. The girls today are in their 20's and most have children of their own now and they all still bring up this movie at Christmas asking if its on this year? each year their mother and myself search around for it, we have written tv guide, asked every video rental store, no such luck. This year we are on the "MISSION" once again. We need your help in telling us where to buy the movie... The movie Family was so real and even at the young age of our girls back then they still bring up the movie and want it on.. I feel they could really relate to the Family at that time and Mary's tears when holding Baby Jesus, or when the boys stole the ham.. just too funny .. please any info on this great movie? could it be on television this year? Thank you for your timebest wishes to you all rene