Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey is an 1977 stop-motion animated Christmas special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. It is based on the song of the same name, written by Gene Autry, Don Pfrimmer and Dave Burgess.
Plot[]
Santa Claus’ pet donkey, Spieltoe, tells the story of his ancestor, Nestor, a small, young donkey with abnormally long ears who lived in Biblical times during the days of the Roman Empire. It’s because of Nestor’s ears that he is treated poorly by others. The other animals in the stable ridicule him for his ears, he constantly trips over them, causing accidents in doing so, and his owner, Olaf, sees Nestor as a burden on the farm. However, the other animals mistreatment of Nestor seemingly comes to a halt during the celebration of a winter solstice; all the animals feel sympathy and guilt for the way Nestor is being treated, and apologize for their misjudgment and making him feel bad. Nestor’s mother even gives him a pair of old socks from Olaf’s wife to cover his ears and keep them warm.
Sadly, this happy time abruptly ends when soldiers of the Roman Empire arrive to purchase strong, young donkeys. They pick a bunch of them, including Nestor. He tries to get away, but one of the soldiers grabs the socks covering his ears. Unfortunately, the socks come off, revealing his ears. Angry at thinking Olaf would dare to sell to the Emperor “imperfect misfits,” they take all the donkeys for free, and leave Nestor with his owner. Enraged for not receiving any money for his donkeys, Olaf throws Nestor outside during a fierce blizzard, telling him he doesn’t care if he freezes to death and never to come back. Out of anger, Nestor’s mother breaks out of her stall and rushes outside to find him. After finding her son in the snow, she locates a small sheltered spot, digs away the snow, and uses her body to cover Nestor and keep him warm. The next morning, Nestor tearfully mourns his mother’s death (with her body covered in a pile of snow), as she had frozen to death in sacrificing herself to protect him, and tearfully walks away.
Later, Nestor meets a cherub named Tilly, who falls out of the sky. She tells him that they must travel to Bethlehem, but she can’t tell him why. She only tells him a
“You’re ears can do wondrous things no other ears can do
The sounds they hear will guide you on a path that is straight and true.
And you will save another, as your mother once saved you.”
He disagrees at first, but she tell him that “He” wants him to. They travel for many months across distant lands and even the sea. They finally arrive at the outskirts of Bethlehem. Tilly tells Nestor to stay there, and to wait until the time is right to leave. After Tilly leaves, Nestor is taken in by a desert merchant and is brought to a rundown old stable. While there, due to his large ears, nobody wants to buy him, and he is mocked by the other animals.
One night, a couple come in. Their names are Mary and Joseph. Mary is expecting a baby. Being heavy with child, she cannot walk the miles to Bethlehem, and they do not have much money. The merchant sympathizes with their plight, and thus, gives Nestor to them as a gift. During their trek to Bethlehem, they are caught in a terrible sandstorm and lose sight of the star. In its midst, he hears Tilly and his mother’s voices, the latter telling him to follow the voices of the angels. Wrapping Mary in his ears to keep her warm, Nestor successfully guides them through the storm, and the trio safely arrive at Bethlehem. They find the stable where Mary subsequently delivers baby Jesus. Nestor finds his way home, where is hailed as hero by Olaf and the other animals.
The special concludes with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and the all reindeer and elves dancing around a miniature Nativity scene under their Christmas tree, and Nestor himself wishing the viewers “Merry Christmas.”
Songs[]
- “Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey”
- “Don’t Laugh and Make Somebody Cry”
- “Follow the Angels”
Cast[]
- Roger Miller—Spieltoe
- Brenda Vaccaro—Tilly
- Paul Frees— Olaf, Desert merchant, Santa Claus
- Don Messick—Roman soldier, Joseph, Thor
- Linda Gary—Nestor’s mother, Mary
- Iris Rainer and Shelly Hines—Nestor’s friends
- Eric Stern—Nestor
External links[]
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey on Bing Videos