Christmas Unwrapped - The History of Christmas (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)

Starring:Harry Smith (IX), Robert Clarke, James Stewart, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley, Taylor Holmes, Bobby Hyatt, Forrest Church, Stephen Nissenbaum, Melinda Dillon, Jean Shepherd, Pat White (II), Penne L. Restad, Leigh Eric Schmidt, Donna Reed, Alan Dundes, A.W. Purdue, Elaine Pagels
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Mark this DVD for annual viewing
why isn't it longer?
Fascinating and Knowledge-Giving!
Interesting history of my favorite holiday
SHORT BUT FUN HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas Unwrapped - The History of Christmas (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Starring: Harry Smith (IX) , Robert Clarke , James Stewart , Darren McGavin , and Peter Billingsley
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Religion | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0007WFULA
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Customer Reviews:

Mark this DVD for annual viewing.......2007-03-16

Harry Smith does a nice job narrating this history of Christmas and is backed by a well-rounded and erudite group of experts on Christmas, religion, and folklore.

This documentary appeared on The History Channel ten years ago but it isn't outdated. It's nice to have for an annual Christmas season viewing.

Stephen Nissenbaum, Historian at the University of Massachusetts, reminds us that Christmas in old time England was really like a carnival similar to today's Mardi Gras in New Orleans. We also hear from Alan Dundes of the Folklore Department at U.C. Berkley, Leigh Eric Schmidt and Elaine Pagels, both of the Religion Department at Princeton University and A. W. Purdue, Historian at Open University in England.

For those who see a modern day conflict between the religious and secular aspects of the season, Penne L. Restad, Historian at the University of Texas, says that there has always been other ceremonies associated with the Christmas season in addition to Christ. This conflict goes back to the very first celebration of the liturgical feast.

The story reveals the Pagan roots for many of today's traditions and shows that many traditions we think "ancient" are recent inventions. It studies the cultural material of Christmas - trees, shopping, and songs.

Rev. Forrest Church, Minister at All Souls Church in New York City points out that people have deep needs to connect with family and friends during the Christmas season. This illustrates how Christmas is more than just a time to attend a church service; it's a time for family gatherings.

This year, why not gather with your family to view "Christmas Unwrapped."

why isn't it longer?.......2007-01-17

Every segment to this interesting and relevant documentary tells so much about where we get our traditions, yet sometimes it feels rushed. It could have been a whole hour longer and I would not have moved from my seat!

Fascinating and Knowledge-Giving! .......2006-05-15

I love to discover the origins of things, because everything in life has a meaning and a purpose behind it. Events like Christmas are no exception. This DVD presentation by the History Channel covered the 3,000+ year history of the world's greatest holiday--its ancient origins in pagan festivals, the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and many other interesting aspects. I might've rated this DVD four stars, because it is not as fully comprehensive as other history sources. But since I don't believe that was the filmmakers' intentions, I believe they lived up to their intentions and therefore, I rate this five stars. I would strongly recommend this DVD to anyone wanting to know more about this very special holiday.

Interesting history of my favorite holiday.......2005-12-12

For all of those you who beleive Christmas has become to "Commerecial" this is the documentary for you! You see, Christmas has always been "commercial" from the begining!

I do not want to spoil the documentary but here a few topics covered.

- Why December 25th was selected even though it probably was not the actual birthdate fo Christ.

- Why we have "Evergreens'

- The development of "Santa Claus"

- Why the firts generation of "Americans" (post 1776) did NOT celebrate Christmas.

- Why Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas after he overthrew the English Crown.

"Unwrapped" transports us throughout history and how the traditions and ideas of the holiday evolved. From the drunken festivals of medieval England to the movie "A Christmas Story" and its Red-Rider BB gun. "Unwrapped" effectively mixes the secular with the religous and shows us how and why wee celebrate it the way that we do. A must see for any fan of the Christmas holiday!

SHORT BUT FUN HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS.......2005-04-12

This documentary originally appeared on the history channel back in 1997 and has been repeated every year. It has become a holiday favorite of mine even though I've seen it numerous times. It's narrated by "Early Show" host Harry Smith and traces the roots of Christmas back to its earliest beginnings as a pagan Roman holiday of feasting. We then see Christmas virtually outlawed by the Puritans but never forgotten. TRhe holiday would enjoy a rebirth in the mid 1800's thanks to several people including Clement Moore's poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and cartoonist Thomas Nast who helped define the look of Santa Claus.

From there we see the holiday further defined by popular culture in movies and TV and also by consumerism, as the holiday shopping season is invented and begins to really flourish at the turn of the 20th century. Nast gives way to Haddon Sundblom's Santa paintings that he did for Coca Cola, finally giving us the jolly, fat santa we know today. Throughout he documentary we get comments from historians such as Stephen Nissenbaum and Penne L. Restad who've written their own books about the origins of Christmas. And comments from Humorist jean Shepherd, whose works the famous holiday film "A Christmas Story" was based on.

It's a wonderful documentary. As a Christmas fanatic I only wish it would have been longer but I never tire of seeing this each year. One viewing and you're guaranteed to be filled with holiday cheer!

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