Christmas Oranges

Wow! This is one of the best Christmas-themed family movies I have watched in a while. It is a made for TV production but has an excellent cast that makes all the difference. The late Edward Hermann is in this production as well (one of the main reasons my daughter and I, both ardent Gilmore Girls fans, chose to watch the film in the first place).The story is set in the early 1900s (I think) and at the beginning of the film, an infant gets placed at the doorstep of an orphanage run by Mrs. Hartley (Nancy Stafford), a childless widow who takes in orphans and unwanted children. The infant grows up into the lovely Rose (Bailee Johnson) who has an angelic singing voice and is happy in the orphanage due to the caring nature of Mrs. Hartley. Sadly, an influenza epidemic causes many deaths including Mrs. Hartley's, and Rose finds herself being sent off to Irongates, another orphanage run by the strict and harsh Mr. Crampton (Edward Hermann). Crampton takes a dislike to Rose through no fault of her own, and when he finds Rose in his library, he punishes her by sending her off to the dreaded attic, where children are not even allowed candles.As the film progresses, Rose discovers that Mr. Crampton harbors a secret of his own - his daughter Grace had run away from home many years ago and he is hoping to find her. The film has wonderful moments of poignancy and joy, and makes a perfect film for the holidays. Bailee Johnson does an incredible job in her role as the orphan Rose and Edward Hermann is as usual immaculate in his role as the forbidding orphanage director. Highly recommended.

As a movie reviewer on a quest to find wholesome family entertainment, I’m always thrilled to find a heartwarming movie that I hadn’t heard much about and discover a gem in the process.Such is the case with Christmas Oranges.Rose was abandoned as a baby on the steps of Greenwoods Orphanage. The motherly caretaker, widow Mrs. Hartley, takes Rose in to the orphanage and raises her, along with the other children of the orphanage, as if they were her own. The children enjoy a loving environment and all is well until the unspeakable happens.Rose is then transferred to Irongates Orphanage, a place opposite in every way from the Greenwoods Orphanage. Under cruel Mr. Crampton’s direction, the children at Irongates are under strict rule with no love and very little attention.Rose is immediately grateful for the new friends she finds at Irongates, as well as, Mr. Crampton’s kind brother Joe, and Polly, the cook. She hears of the stories of what happens on Christmas – the only day Mr. Crampton allows the children to have any fun. It’s on that special day that Joe brings each child an orange – oranges he has hung on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Rose finds it difficult to wait for Christmas Day.Along the way, Rose encounters difficulties at every turn with Mr. Crampton. When she discovers he harbors a secret, will her gentle spirit sway him to realize the mistakes he’s made and that it’s never too late to start anew?Christmas Oranges has quickly become one of my favorite films. Delightful, heartwarming, and humorous in parts, I was thrilled to have stumbled upon it. Christmas Oranges is not a Christian film, but it does have some wonderful lessons for discussion. For example: love despite biological ties, loyalty, friendship, forgiveness, grace, and serving others. There is nothing objectionable in this movie.But I will give you one word of caution: you may need a Kleenex. I know I did.I highly recommended this movie for all ages for Christmas and for any time of the year.This review first appeared on my Mom-Approved Movie Listing on my wordpress blog.

Great quality disk and movie. Keeps your attention and shows good content.

This is not a happy movie, but it is a very good movie. If you're looking for a simple, pleasant story, you may wish to look elsewhere. If you're in the mood for a down-on-their-luck story with a good deal of sadness along the way, this is an excellent candidate for the job. It is the story of orphans; Rose was dropped off by her mother as a baby and the story is told mostly through her. Her first orphanage was not that bad: the woman running it loved children and certainly all those in her care. But when she dies in the great flu epidemic at the end of World War I, things don't go so well anymore. Rose is moved to another orphanage, one run by a man (Edward Herrmann) who is a taskmaster, one determined to punish all rule-breakers. At first it is not clear why he does this, but despite the punishments, Rose manages to get on with most of ther fellow orphans. And the headmaster's brother ia a very nice guy. The story is one of changing one's ways, of learning how to be kinder and, in that sense, it is an excellent movie -- the story pulls no punches, Rose has to earn her way, win over those who are not so nice. The acting is superb and Bailee Johnson, who plays Rose, is superb. A story so complex demands as much and they are one and all up to the job. It is well worth the watching.

A fantastic film I first seen this film last Christmas on tv and new I needed to own it so I searched the internet and found it so I purchased it and I watch it at least once a week it was also of great value for money

A truly fabulous Christmas film... watched it over & over.. highly recommend it

Love this dvd

Briĺlant movie sad but good watch

Beautiful film, arrived on time. Get the tissues ready.