I was probably 6 or 7 when I saw this on the Disney Channel. I loved it. It was not at all traumatizing, and I have fond memories of it. Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for.
You're absolutely right. I saw it at the same age and I look back on it as being one of the most magical endings to a movie I can remember. Yes it was sad as hell, but it had a pay off that made it stick with you.
The only thing wrong with this movie is that people thought it would be a happy go lucky jolly old Christmas flick for the whole family, when instead it is much deeper and heartfelt. Rating a movie low because you misjudged it for little kids is ridiculously petty.
I saw this movie in the eighties when I was about twelve. I've thought about it many times since and I've just watched it with my children - a boy and a girl of similar ages to the children in the film, in fact - again on Disney+. Like Roger said, my son and daughter couldn't wait around for the ending. As a Daddy and not a child, I saw this movie from a different perspective this time around and I found it as moving and thought-provoking as I did all those years ago. Mary Steenburgen deserves special credit for making this movie what it is. She got an Oscar for Time After Time (I saw this movie about the same time in the eighties and I need to find it now) and I would have given her one for this, too. I'm glad this movie exists and I would recommend it to anyone.
And again another time that I totally disagree with Ebert. This movie has been in my top favorite Christmas movies since it's release when I saw with my mom and dad who were both still alive at the time. Would lose my dad in February of the following year. This movie was something I could relate to too, as money was always tight when I was a kid, but my dad somehow still loved Christmas. When we was real little he'd dress up like Santa and Santa would pay us a visit on Christmas Eve. He finally had to stop when we started questioning why dad was always gone when Santa came
Ebert's review demonstrates his fallibility. However, he did give Chicago Cab a thumbs-up when gene Siskel gave it a thumbs-down, so he ain't all bad.😊😊
Come on Ebert!! You’re doing too much. I loved this movie back when I was 9 & still love it. My two youngest boys are 7 & 10 & I’m about to rent this for them to see.
Agreed! Very harsh review. I found this movie by accident when I was a kid in the days of big satellite dishes. It was more realistic, even with the bit of magic. I was really into it and wanted the happy ending more than any other movie. The angel is played by the VERY talented actor Harry Dean Stanton. No more traumatic than A Christmas Carol, especially the grim reaper style ghost of xmas future and showing Tiny Tim being dead. It isn't funny. But its sooo much more real. Many bad things happen during the holidays, even more so. Prepare to shed a tear, but I give it 4 stars.
This isn't really a film for children. Glad to see someone here loved it when they were 6 or 7 and perhaps some children might even understand its message but I think that if any children like it then it's mainly because of the Santa Claus scenes. As far as I am concerned this film deserves as many stars as available. It's wonderfully done, when I first saw it it really gave me a sense of perspective and made me see what's really important in life. There is sometimes a fine line between depressing and beautifull. As others have mentioned, what about Dickens's Christmas Carol? Characters 'supposedly' die in that aswell. I have many a time heard people say about certain pieces of classical music that they are depressing, but to me they are beautifull.
So off the mark and unfairly harsh on this review. This movie is far from being a downer or depressing. One Magic Christmas is a truly wonderful and delightful film that, yes, does have some sad and disquieting moments (but no worse than some scenes in "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life"). Ginny, the mother, doesn't dislike or hate Christmas . . . she has just lost its meaning and her Christmas spirit due to the hardships that her family is currently experiencing. She sees lack instead of abundance like her husband. Just like Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life," the Angel Gideon (played brilliantly by Harry Dean Stanton) temporarily alters events to help Abby believe in Christmas (and Santa Claus) again. I watch this movie every year with my children during the holidays and the end always makes us all smile.
It’s one of my favourite Christmas movies. Saw it in Toronto with my 7 year old daughter years ago. Sorry Ebert you were wrong . It’s a Great Christmas Family Movie. They said that a Wonderful Life was a dark dismal Movie . How wrong there were. It became a well loved classic. Movie critics are not always right
I would recommend this Christmas Movie. Jan Rubes is the perfect Santa. I find it sad that Ebert couldn't see beyond the same old Christmas formula and review this with an open mind. The Children were great and Director Sarah Polley plays the neighbour child. One of her first roles I believe. Not everyone is wealthy and in this movie, times are tough for everyone. However, the end is satisfying . It's a good Christmas movie .
He's so wrong. It's perfect as it is. Christmas joy is always preceded by melaoncholi in the truly good christmas films. They're not about christmas, they're about family, love, belonging, faith and hope. That's the point of them.
No Roger. This movie was made for parents going through hard economic times at the time the movie came out - not for children. Some of it I would have written differently if I'd been the writer, but in the end it's a feel-good film.
IT IS a very good film Mr Ebert. Unlike the junk made today. It shows you should not go off someone else's opinion, see it for yourself. Baa Humbug Mr Ebert.
Baa humbug! Whomever made U the guru of Christmas movies - musta been related 2 Scrooge himself. R U? We in Canada love it, much more than the new Disney (don't know their gender) - eh?❤️🇨🇦
Irrespective of personal opinion, why on earth give so much plot spoiling detail away? I couldn't mute it quickly enough before you blurted out the spoilers. A review is not about giving away the plot. That's a summary or a synopsis. Haven't yet watched the film, so I am really cross.
Some of you people in the comments section need your heads examined. Anybody who puts this film on the same level as ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, is certifiably nuts! No family would ever have so much bad luck in a single holiday season. You have a guardian angel, who looks more like a street bum, you have another man, down on his luck, decides to rob a bank, runs away in someone else’s car, with their kids in the back seat, and drives them into a river! Finally, it sets a very depressing tone throughout, until the predictable, suddenly upbeat ending! Seriously, there are much better Christmas films out there. Watch one of those instead. Skip this turkey.
Fully disagree. And the fact that you’re calling the angel a street bum shows you missed the message entirely. Angels come as all kinds but only some people are ready to see. I love this movie.
@@savedfaves Except for the fact that it is not established until later in the film, that he was an angel. How is the audience supposed to know? He looks creepy, not angelic. Too bad the film didn’t make that clearer much sooner. Not my fault that they didn’t make it apparent! Even for a Disney movie, this was a ridiculous premise. Hard pass.
@@mcorivervsaf They made it perfectly clear without spoon feeding it. Some people need their hand held the whole time with everything spelled out. That’s fine that you’re one of them, but a movie requiring too much thought and attention is a poor reason to criticize it. The movie shares inspiration with It’s A Wonderful Life instead of simply copying it, making it a more valuable comparison than most. If you’re willing, I encourage you to watch the movie again but pay more attention. If you do you’ll find it’s actually very well done and quite special.
@@TukaihaHithlec That’s nice. If you want to waste your time watching a depressing, cynical exercise in a so-called “Christmas” movie, then, by all means, you can go right ahead! No one wants their kids going off on a journey with a “guardian angel” who looks like a street bum. No one wants to see a father lose his life in such a tragic way, only for the kids to nearly suffer the same fate! Watch that bank scene again, and tell me how any of that is plausible! I’m not buying it! So much bad luck in one film, and this is supposed to be a Disney movie? I don’t think so! I’m not going to waste my time watching this movie again, so, spare me the “simple-minded” nonsense. I’ll be watching “Miracle on 34th Street”, again, thank you very much!
Excellent film🤙. In the True Spirit of Christmas🎄. Faith, Despair, Hope, and Redemption from negative to positive. Family Fare no longer made in Hollyweird so Don't miss it🤔!!
I was probably 6 or 7 when I saw this on the Disney Channel. I loved it. It was not at all traumatizing, and I have fond memories of it. Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for.
I remember it being depressing as hell.
You're absolutely right. I saw it at the same age and I look back on it as being one of the most magical endings to a movie I can remember.
Yes it was sad as hell, but it had a pay off that made it stick with you.
I loved it too! I watch it every year. It reminds us to not take those we love for granted.
One Magic Christmas is, by far, the BEST Christmas movie I've EVER seen! The heartbreaking scenes are no less tragic than the 3 ghosts of Christmas.
Yep! Agreed
I LOVE this movie. It’s basically the same story as “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
The only thing wrong with this movie is that people thought it would be a happy go lucky jolly old Christmas flick for the whole family, when instead it is much deeper and heartfelt. Rating a movie low because you misjudged it for little kids is ridiculously petty.
I saw this movie in the eighties when I was about twelve. I've thought about it many times since and I've just watched it with my children - a boy and a girl of similar ages to the children in the film, in fact - again on Disney+. Like Roger said, my son and daughter couldn't wait around for the ending. As a Daddy and not a child, I saw this movie from a different perspective this time around and I found it as moving and thought-provoking as I did all those years ago. Mary Steenburgen deserves special credit for making this movie what it is. She got an Oscar for Time After Time (I saw this movie about the same time in the eighties and I need to find it now) and I would have given her one for this, too. I'm glad this movie exists and I would recommend it to anyone.
It certainly is timeless and wonderful.
And again another time that I totally disagree with Ebert. This movie has been in my top favorite Christmas movies since it's release when I saw with my mom and dad who were both still alive at the time. Would lose my dad in February of the following year. This movie was something I could relate to too, as money was always tight when I was a kid, but my dad somehow still loved Christmas. When we was real little he'd dress up like Santa and Santa would pay us a visit on Christmas Eve. He finally had to stop when we started questioning why dad was always gone when Santa came
You talk too much. Young kids don't need to read your conspiracy theories about Santa🎅. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa!!
It’s my favourite Christmas movie. Phillip Borsos was a master.
Disney wouldn't dare release a heavy Christmas movie these days.
If they did it’d be jump scares. This film is real filmmaking.
I would give it 10 out of 10 it a brilliant film with a lovely end to it just like the film it a wonderful life
Ebert's review demonstrates his fallibility. However, he did give Chicago Cab a thumbs-up when gene Siskel gave it a thumbs-down, so he ain't all bad.😊😊
Lovely Christmas movie. The husband dies then reappears it was all a dream how many would love that to happen
Wow. Tough review. This is a great Christmas movie! Best Santa Claus.
jim slaunwhite - Agreed. Great movie and best Santa Claus ever. I love this movie so much I had to buy it on DVD.
Great for 2020
Thank You! I always say best Santa and favorite xmas movie
Come on Ebert!! You’re doing too much. I loved this movie back when I was 9 & still love it. My two youngest boys are 7 & 10 & I’m about to rent this for them to see.
Best christmas movie ever. im 40 now grew up with it, yes its dark but brilliant
Agreed! Very harsh review. I found this movie by accident when I was a kid in the days of big satellite dishes. It was more realistic, even with the bit of magic. I was really into it and wanted the happy ending more than any other movie. The angel is played by the VERY talented actor Harry Dean Stanton. No more traumatic than A Christmas Carol, especially the grim reaper style ghost of xmas future and showing Tiny Tim being dead. It isn't funny. But its sooo much more real. Many bad things happen during the holidays, even more so. Prepare to shed a tear, but I give it 4 stars.
This isn't really a film for children. Glad to see someone here loved it when they were 6 or 7 and perhaps some children might even understand its message but I think that if any children like it then it's mainly because of the Santa Claus scenes. As far as I am concerned this film deserves as many stars as available. It's wonderfully done, when I first saw it it really gave me a sense of perspective and made me see what's really important in life. There is sometimes a fine line between depressing and beautifull. As others have mentioned, what about Dickens's Christmas Carol? Characters 'supposedly' die in that aswell. I have many a time heard people say about certain pieces of classical music that they are depressing, but to me they are beautifull.
Sorry Mr. Ebert, but you're wrong, it's a great Holiday family movie!
It's not depressing its realistic with a touch of magic and hope..one of my favorites
So off the mark and unfairly harsh on this review. This movie is far from being a downer or depressing. One Magic Christmas is a truly wonderful and delightful film that, yes, does have some sad and disquieting moments (but no worse than some scenes in "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life"). Ginny, the mother, doesn't dislike or hate Christmas . . . she has just lost its meaning and her Christmas spirit due to the hardships that her family is currently experiencing. She sees lack instead of abundance like her husband. Just like Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life," the Angel Gideon (played brilliantly by Harry Dean Stanton) temporarily alters events to help Abby believe in Christmas (and Santa Claus) again. I watch this movie every year with my children during the holidays and the end always makes us all smile.
Man did he strike out on that review
It’s the best movie!! My favourite as a child
It’s one of my favourite Christmas movies. Saw it in Toronto with my 7 year old daughter years ago. Sorry Ebert you were wrong . It’s a Great Christmas Family Movie. They said that a Wonderful Life was a dark dismal Movie . How wrong there were. It became a well loved classic. Movie critics are not always right
Such an underrated film
I would recommend this Christmas Movie. Jan Rubes is the perfect Santa. I find it sad that Ebert couldn't see beyond the same old Christmas formula and review this with an open mind. The Children were great and Director Sarah Polley plays the neighbour child. One of her first roles I believe. Not everyone is wealthy and in this movie, times are tough for everyone. However, the end is satisfying . It's a good Christmas movie .
Best Xmas Movie.
I love it.... Beats falling in love by the end! Sick of them ALL being alike
He was wrong!
He's so wrong. It's perfect as it is. Christmas joy is always preceded by melaoncholi in the truly good christmas films. They're not about christmas, they're about family, love, belonging, faith and hope. That's the point of them.
I totally disagree with your comments, this is one of the best Christmas movies in a long time.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
No Roger. This movie was made for parents going through hard economic times at the time the movie came out - not for children. Some of it I would have written differently if I'd been the writer, but in the end it's a feel-good film.
This is a christmas classic!
Loved this movie when I was a kid
Well Roger you're the Dodger, this is a classic 73+ 🍁Manitoba hunter expat
IT IS a very good film Mr Ebert. Unlike the junk made today. It shows you should not go off someone else's opinion, see it for yourself. Baa Humbug Mr Ebert.
Well, evidently he was wrong in his review, because if you go and try to buy it on Ebay right now, the price is over $20 to $54 for a DVD.
Baa humbug!
Whomever made U the guru of Christmas movies - musta been related 2 Scrooge himself.
R U?
We in Canada love it, much more than the new Disney (don't know their gender) - eh?❤️🇨🇦
Wrong on this one.
He usually is.
Taking notes 📝
I love these solo reviews! 😃
Whatever Roger Ebert.. I strongly disagree...its a great movie
Ebert's certainly an overrated movie critic. I'm not sure he'd know a good movie if it hit him between the eyes.
He hated many a well rated movie and loved many a panned movie.
''One Miserable Woman'' as Gene Siskel called it in his review.
Both him and Ebert called it right. This movie is really good.
@@savedfaves They hated this movie.
Irrespective of personal opinion, why on earth give so much plot spoiling detail away? I couldn't mute it quickly enough before you blurted out the spoilers. A review is not about giving away the plot. That's a summary or a synopsis. Haven't yet watched the film, so I am really cross.
Yep summed it up perfectly
Some of you people in the comments section need your heads examined. Anybody who puts this film on the same level as ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, is certifiably nuts! No family would ever have so much bad luck in a single holiday season. You have a guardian angel, who looks more like a street bum, you have another man, down on his luck, decides to rob a bank, runs away in someone else’s car, with their kids in the back seat, and drives them into a river! Finally, it sets a very depressing tone throughout, until the predictable, suddenly upbeat ending! Seriously, there are much better Christmas films out there. Watch one of those instead. Skip this turkey.
Fully disagree. And the fact that you’re calling the angel a street bum shows you missed the message entirely. Angels come as all kinds but only some people are ready to see. I love this movie.
@@savedfaves Except for the fact that it is not established until later in the film, that he was an angel. How is the audience supposed to know? He looks creepy, not angelic. Too bad the film didn’t make that clearer much sooner. Not my fault that they didn’t make it apparent! Even for a Disney movie, this was a ridiculous premise. Hard pass.
@@mcorivervsaf Dumb
@@mcorivervsaf They made it perfectly clear without spoon feeding it. Some people need their hand held the whole time with everything spelled out. That’s fine that you’re one of them, but a movie requiring too much thought and attention is a poor reason to criticize it. The movie shares inspiration with It’s A Wonderful Life instead of simply copying it, making it a more valuable comparison than most. If you’re willing, I encourage you to watch the movie again but pay more attention. If you do you’ll find it’s actually very well done and quite special.
@@TukaihaHithlec That’s nice. If you want to waste your time watching a depressing, cynical exercise in a so-called “Christmas” movie, then, by all means, you can go right ahead! No one wants their kids going off on a journey with a “guardian angel” who looks like a street bum. No one wants to see a father lose his life in such a tragic way, only for the kids to nearly suffer the same fate! Watch that bank scene again, and tell me how any of that is plausible! I’m not buying it! So much bad luck in one film, and this is supposed to be a Disney movie? I don’t think so! I’m not going to waste my time watching this movie again, so, spare me the “simple-minded” nonsense. I’ll be watching “Miracle on 34th Street”, again, thank you very much!
Excellent film🤙. In the True Spirit of Christmas🎄. Faith, Despair, Hope, and Redemption from negative to positive. Family Fare no longer made in Hollyweird so Don't miss it🤔!!