Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1739 in VHS
• Released on: 1995-10-06
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 47 minutes

Amazon.com
A warm Yuletide special, A Muppet Family Christmas pairs the Muppet gang with the perennial favorite Sesame Street cast for a holiday celebration. With a blizzard brewing outside, Fozzie's childhood farmhouse on Christmas Eve becomes the backdrop for a medley of holiday tunes--eight in all--ranging from the Muppet band's rousing "Jingle Bell Rock" to Big Bird's sweet rendition of "The Christmas Song." Though the script meanders in part, the 42-minute program shines as a musical revue, seasoned with quick-witted interludes by the culinary comedic Swedish Chef, slapstick odd couple Ernie and Bert, and the diva-like escapades of Miss Piggy. While lacking the irresistible sizzle of The Muppet Movie, the show's finale, which includes Kermit and Piggy under the mistletoe and a cameo appearance by Jim Henson, proves that nothing can dim the Muppets' appeal. --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

Not for 80's fans!
Really now.. When I heard that they were putting my FAVORITE Christmas film on DVD I was so excited. Muppet Family Christmas is something I watch every December. It's funny, sweet, and so entertaining. But, unfortunetly, the version on the DVD is not the version I just praised. There are massive edits that are very noticable to viewers who have watched it since it first aired on TV and may leave first time viewers confused. Fozzie's duet with the Snowman is cut out, the Muppet Babies home video is cut out (leaving Doc with a very strange line that doesn't make sense) and in my opinion the best part, where Miss Piggy enters and sings her song and slips on the Icy Patch is edited out. The best Icy patch gag and it's left out of the DVD/VHS.

I am not going to buy this DVD, Fortunately, my VHS tape still works well enough to watch it (yes with the OshGosh commercials and Double Mint Gum ones, too!). Until they put the real complete version on the market, I will not spend my money on the DVD.

Update: I have received many message from Amazon readers asking if I could transfer my copy to dvd, but unfortunately, I lack the equipment to do so and do not know anyone offering copies at the moment. Best of luck to all the searchers!

Very annoyed
I am very annoyed with the video that I bought off this website. I had the video recorded from t.v years ago and accidently loaned it out to someone. When I found it on amazon, needless to say I was thrilled, until I watched it. You cut out the major scenes from the movie like when Fozzie does his stand up comedy act with the snowmen and when the Muppet babies video is cut short. I don't mind little edits, but editing out these parts is absolutely ridiculious! I would have given the movie five stars, but since it has been butchered, it only receives three stars. People who have never seen this movie would never notice the edits, but if you're like me and you have watched this video about 5 million times, you will definetly notice the edits. You shouldn't even be selling the movie like this! It ruins the whole story! Therefore, I will continue to look for my old copy and watch the one I recorded off Odyseey instead.

The edited version - explained
Like many of the other reviews, this version is extremely frustrating. Some of the best scenes and songs are edited out. For those who have seen the unedited version as it was broadcast on television, you probably won't like this. If you haven't seen the edited version, you may like this. However, there are scenes that may have you thinking - "What happened?" "That was short." "Did they cut something out?"

I sent an e-mail to Jim Henson productions. The official explanation has to do with licensing and copyright issues on the songs that were edited out. For example, Henson was cleared to use the Muppet Babies singing 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' on television. However, they were not licensed to release it on DVD / VHS.

Here is the more frustrating point. Many movies have had similar issues. Weird Science, Heavy Metal, etc. were all held up being released on video because of songs, licenses, artist royalties, etc. However, all of them were eventually worked out and released. I think that Henson productions could do something similar. One can always hope.

Added: December 18, 2006 Here's what Henson Productions had to say about the edited versions

Thanks for your email regarding A Muppet Christmas Carol & Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. It is true that the video releases of of these productions are shorter than the broadcast specials. The original agreement that was made for the music was for the original TV broadcasts only. Subsequently, when we tried to arrange for the home video we were not allowed to release it unless certain sections were removed. This situation, which currently remains unchanged, is regrettable both to us and to our many friends who have been disappointed with their purchases. FYI, The Walt Disney Company acquired The Muppets and the Muppet properties from The Jim Henson Company some time ago. Since this is now a Disney property perhaps you might write to them with your complaint perhaps they can rectify the situation since we no longer can.

The Walt Disney Company
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-9722
Phone: 818-560-1000
Fax: 818-560-1930
http://disney.go.com

Again thank you for writing and for your interest.

Regards . . . The Jim Henson Company