Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews

Nostalgia factor

[GMGoodwrenchGirl · 6/10 · 9 December 2019]

I rated this a 6, and at least a couple of those stars are purely because of the nostalgia factor since I vaguely remember watching this as a kid.

The story is just okay...something Christmasy to watch if you haven't seen it in 40 plus years or just want some holiday background noise. Benji doesn't do too much in this movie...he mostly just gets carried around. Kids may find it entertaining...I probably liked it more 40 years ago.

The focus does not match the title

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 8 December 2017]

"Benji's Very Own Christmas Story" is a 25-minute live action short film from 1978, so this one will have its 40th anniversary soon already and the title character Benji is a dog that was included in quite a few films and projects back then. So here is his film about the holidays, perhaps his most known. But the title is misleading as the star in the center of the story here is clearly Ron Moody playing Kris Kringle about a decade after his career-defining film Oliver! Now we shall take about that one on another occasion. This one here sadly did not really get me into the Christmas spirit despite the set decoration and costumes. Moody is trying his best, but the story will never have you on the edge of your seat. And with Benji so forgettable in terms of the plot, it's not one for canine lovers. The other human characters, i.e. his owners, were just as uninteresting. It's a showpiece for Moody, but there is nothing of substance built around him when it comes to story, characters, emotion etc. The Emmy nomination (lost to Sesame Street) may have been a bit too much already. Shame. I really thought I'd like this better. Don't watch.

Santa and his broken leg

[sixpence1106 · 4/10 · 4 January 2014]

Patsy and Cynthia go to Switzerland so Benji can be Grand Marshall in a parade. When they arrive they find that Kris Kringle has a broken leg and will not be delivering gifts on Christmas. But, his leg may not be the problem. If it were not for Ron Moody (who played Fagin in the movie Oliver)the movie would be a total bust. He is quite the actor and showman. Other than the fact that they were in Switzerland for Benji to be in a parade, he was pretty much just carried around and had very little interaction in the movie. The dog had no personality and seemed disinterested during the whole movie. Did I mention it was VERY short. I know it was listed as a short and short it was..

Whose Story Is This?

[ztonus · 20 February 2002]

It says that it's Benji's Christmas Story, but he doesn't do nothing in this special! Much of the focus is on Santa, who's going to cancel Christmas because of his broken foot (of course it's not broke). The elves are okay (Needles and Pins are Santa's tailors, of course) but the girl's pretty annoying.

If you're a Christmas Fan( which some people are), you might want to watch it, but if you're a Benji fan, you're going to hate it.

Atrocious even for a Christmas short. Mind Blowingly awful.

[Robert_duder · 1/10 · 11 January 2015]

How can I review a film like this and trash it? It's 35+ years old, made for children and families, based on beloved characters but honestly what in the HECK did I just watch. It was over before I could blink (thankfully) and the story made absolutely no sense, the quality was terrible (I watched it on DVD) and Benji being there was a third or fourth factor to the entire film. It had nothing to with Benji!! I'm not sure what it had to do with. I suppose I'm over-analyzing and being way over critical because a lot of children's specials when you look at them now are downright creepy and this one certainly has its moments.

Ron Moody is especially creepy as Kris Kringle. He comes across as the manic, eccentric old man who you would not want delivering gifts to any child. His voice is grating and weird and he is just creepy. The musical number in the film is eye popping-ly terrible and I wanted to stop watching right then and there but it was only 25 minutes long and by the time I thought enough to turn it off...it was over. Its been a very long time since I've seen a Benji movie so I can't recall how good Patsy Garrett and Cynthia Smith were in their original roles and I suppose they are okay in this but there is virtually no story here and its so rushed and slapped together that they don't even need to be there. That goes quadruple for Benji who is reduced to following everyone around to make sure he's in the shot but has no point of being there.

No one knows Benji better than Joe Camp who wrote and directed every Benji story for the last 40 years. I don't know why he would make this...I imagine he was forced to and I can't believe this won Emmy's. How far entertainment has come since this sort of thing was released. I mean people make fun of the Star Wars Christmas Special and that was twenty times better than this junk. I understand that this isn't for me and that it was made for kids but I can't imagine any kid enjoying this because there is no point to it. There is no story, there is no adorable moments of Benji-Goodness...this was just a total miss on their part and pointless to be made. I only own this because its part of a Benji collection so I won't be putting this in next year during my Christmas rotation, I can promise you that. 0/10

Seems this is extremely underrated here.

[radioman970us · 8/10 · 18 December 2004]

I just watched this for the first time in more years than I could recall. Could I have missed it when it originally aired in 78? I'm not sure but nothing looked familiar.

I decided to look this up and see what other people thought but I think IMDb.com users have gotten it all wrong. If you're not a Benji and/or extreme nostalgia fan (both of which I very much am) than steer clear. But if you are then check this out. It didn't get nom'd for an Emmy for nothing. It's very entertaining.

Santa is the star of the show. The story does a great job of establishing his different appearances all over the world. This is what I found most interesting. Moody, as Santa, also does an okay Oliver!-style musical number.

Sure, the makeup is extremely cheesy, Benji gets precious little to do, the girl from the Benji flicks is a little annoying (what else is new :D), but calling this bottom of the barrel is completely unfair and out of line. Don't believe it! I pulled this out of the bargain bin for about $6. Worth every penny. I also have the first 2 Benji flicks (I love those, especially the top notch original). Those first couple of Benji dogs were great little actors. He's just a set piece in this but still provides some Christmas warmth.

Fun, charming, quality production

[mjmarra-65406 · 10/10 · 5 January 2020]

Actor Ron Moody steals the show as Kris Kringle. His comedic timing, wit, and musical abilities showcase the many sides of his character, as seen through the eyes of people all over the world. The main characters along with Benji are taken on a unique behind-the-scenes view of Santa's operation. These depictions are ahead of their time, ideas that other Santa movie franchises would borrow and extrapolate on in future decades. It's good-natured, timeless, family fun for all.