Barbie in a Christmas Carol

The classic Dickens' tale A Christmas Carol gets a Barbie makeover in this animated holiday program about the evils of selfishness. As Barbie and Kelly are preparing for a Christmas Eve charity fundraiser, Kelly complains that the new event is interfering with the family's Christmas Eve traditions. Barbie takes the opportunity to tell her sister an important Christmas story set in Victorian England. The story is in essence the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, but with Eden Starling (Barbie) standing in for Scrooge, Catherine for Bob Cratchit, and young orphan Tammy for Tiny Tim. Eden is a self-centered star whose new stage show is about to open and who lives her life by the decree that "In a selfish world, the selfish succeed." Completely lacking in Christmas spirit, Eden insists that her best friend and costume designer Catherine, as well as her other co-stars, cancel their holiday plans to work on Christmas day. Eden's peaceful Christmas Eve slumber is interrupted by visits from the spirits of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas future and each brings visions of misery and despair. Finally realizing that her own actions have a direct impact on the future happiness of herself and others, Eden reconsiders her selfish ways and commits to a more caring and generous way of life. While some traditionalists may cringe at the liberties taken with Dickens' well-known story, Barbie in A Christmas Carol is a powerful program that encourages the virtues of caring and compassion in children ages three and older. --Tami Horiuchi

Beyond Barbie in a Christmas Carol on DVD

More Barbie on DVD

Barbie in a Christmas Carol in Spanish

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Stills from Barbie in a Christmas Carol (click for larger image)

This one's sure to become a favorite

Review Date: November 8, 2008

Reviewer: Doting Mother, Pacific NW

I bought this for my 5 year old daughter and she loves it. She has watched the movie 3 times in the 3 days that we've had it -- and I've lost count of how many times she's watched the DVD extras. The older she gets, the pickier she is about what she wants to watch more than once and she clearly wants to watch this one over and over. She is scared of a lot of movies (including some of the Barbie movies), but not this one. The story has been masterfully re-crafted so that a younger kid can watch it without getting scared; yet the message of the original tale is beautifully preserved. The ending leaves one with a happy, positive feeling. The music is great in this movie -- old Christmas classics like "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", etc usually sung by Barbie and Teresa. The smart people at Mattel figured out a great way to include the "I Feel Connected" song from Diamond Castle (which my daughter and her friends can't get enough of) in one of the special features. The song is used for a humorous scene introduced by Barbie and Teresa and starring those two little dogs (Lilly and Sparkles) from the Diamond Castle. The disk includes: * the movie * a menu to choose one of the several songs from the movie (Carol-oke Party, the disk calls it). * several trailers * a "behind the scenes" video from the Diamond Castle showing the dogs dancing to "I Feel Connected" * a nice documentary about how a Barbie Collector Holiday Doll is designed which is told using a mother and daughter getting a tour of the Barbie factory. Warning -- your daughter will probably want to start buying those expensive Barbie Collector dolls after seeing this. This movie is a keeper. I can heartily (really!) recommend it.

A new Christmas Classic!

Review Date: November 9, 2008

Reviewer: D. Vance, Central USA

This is another real winner from Barbie! The story is well told and the music is wonderful classic Christmas songs that had everyone singing along. I wondered how they would handle The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come without scaring the little ones, and they did it beautifully! The animation seems a little "flatter" than The Diamond Castle, but still very nice. This is a video the whole family can enjoy together. (Even my teenage boys hunkered down to watch!)

Wow

Review Date: November 12, 2008

Reviewer: M. Bowen,

I love this movie I think infact its the best that the Barbie makers have done! I know I'm 27 and I watch Barbie movies, deal! LOL I want to buy it now and share the wonder of it with my nieces and nephews! Great movie, good storyline, great songs, and beautiful animation! A real treat for all those dreaming of sugar plums this time of year. Michelle

Great way to introduce the theme of this story without fear for young viewers

Review Date: November 15, 2008

Reviewer: JB, Cincinnati, Ohio

I bought this movie for my 4 year-old daughter to give her an introduction to the theme of the story before she sees the "Christmas Carol" in an upcoming ballet production. I was specifically looking for an adaptation without so much fearful imagery. This adaptation not only served that purpose, but in addition is very well done - even my husband liked it!

Great Holiday Movie!

Review Date: December 2, 2008

Reviewer: Taryn J. Williams, Idaho

I purchased this for my 2 1/2 year old daughter who is starting to adore Barbie. We watched it together and when it was all over, "Again?" Yes, we watched it 2 more times in the same night. I love the story of A Christmas Carol and this version was done beautifully. Great for kids!!