I came across this title on Amazon while looking at the DVD cover of another Christmas cartoon special, Magic Gift Of The Snowman. This was one of those things that piqued both my curiosity and interest. But I previewed it first on Youtube by skimming across the streaming bar of the video and like some, certain others, it had little screen caps of various scenes appear above it. Eventually I would actually watch it, which I did in the middle of just last month and I've got to say it's one of the better Christmas specials. Another one that I wish I had seen sooner. One of my favorite Canadian cartoons and one of the better cartoons in general to go straight to home media. It has everything one could ask for to get into the Christmassy spirit or mood. 'Tis joy to the season.
Due to one bad experience with the holiday, (which is explained in the first musical number,) the bitter, curmudgeonly owner of Ironsville, D.D. Kovet, decided never to allow any Christmas celebrations to be held there in spite. So the innocent rest of the town is forced to suffer through this, with some residents never being aware of Xmas. Kovet has his guards ensure that it is outlawed and that nobody partakes in it in any way. But divine intervention comes in the form of a peasant girl named Angela (who is later revealed to be an actual angel) and her pet wolf, when they came to town to sell holly and bring back the Christmas cheer. She meets two kids, a brother and sister who sympathize with her plight and offer her, and the lupine, to stay in their home with them, and their parents, for a while. When Kovet gets wind of this, he has his guards apprehend her and brought to him. After she gives her explanation for doing what she did and reminds him of why Xmas is so great, he softens up and has a change of heart, once he receives some convincing. Angela is the savior and has the power to melt an iron heart. All turns out well in the end.
Concerning the technical features of this, the art style seems to be stylized, but the animation is hardly limited, especially in the characters' movements. The colors of the backgrounds and layouts are used finely. Based on what the reviewer before me commented, I gather that presumably it seems that the studios that co-produced this were better at creating and writing original stories than at adapting pieces of literature. But this is a strong, original story, the screenplay is just the same. Many of the characters are great in one way or another. The musical numbers, especially the song sung by Angela explaining just what Christmas is all about, may be better than the incidental music. I can't complain about the voice acting, nothing bad about it.
A classic, Christmas gem that I somehow was unaware of for years. I can't say this was a disappointment. One of the holiday specials, especially those that are less prominent, that fascinated me the most. Also, one of the best that doesn't revolve around Santa Claus, but not exactly a retelling of the Biblical tale, as a nice change of pace. I say this isn't a skip, as it is still among the more worthy, if not noteworthy, ones to watch. Recommended.
