golindee I can only remember this film as seen through my child-eyes. Perhaps it would not seem so "excellent" to me now, after so many years. But I wholeheartedly agree with the general consensus regarding the sweet poignancy of this work. As one who never heard the legend before seeing the movie, I was enchanted by the simple dialogue, the profound reasoning, and the genuine wonderment expressed by the animals. So carefully crafted was this portrayal, that I was completely taken by surprise when the Christ Child was born and the animals rushed to share their gospel experience with the world.Indeed, I cried when the animals lost their gift of speech, scattering out of the barn and into the night, "praising" God in their "native" tongues. My husband has a similarly fond memory of this film, and not a Christmas goes by that we don't recall it, ponder it, and long to see it again. Sadly, it likely would not withstand the politically correct climate in which we live today.

jcars86 I was only five years old when my brother and I sat in front of the TV, mesmerized by this cartoon with so much feeling and such a beautiful, loving message. I would like to have a copy of this movie for my children to experience. I would like to know if it is going to be shown this holiday season. There are certain experiences that leave marks on our memories and hearts and this movie is one of them. I am not sure why the TV stations would not want to show this cartoon. I don't understand how they could show The Drummer Boy and not show this cartoon afterall, there is Christ in Christmas-that's what it is all about!

CineMage **SPOILERS AHEAD**I have not seen this cartoon in far too many years, and that is a shame. While I agree that in the United States Christmas has become a secular nation-wide holiday to be shared by Christian, Jew, Muslim, Pagan, Hindu, Atheist, etc., and while I enjoy the spirit of generosity and playfulness it inspires across religious lines, it seems fitting that the occasional Christmas special actually deal with the Christian origins of that holiday."The Night the Animals Talked" is a cartoon depiction of the legend that, on the day Jesus Christ was to be born, the animals suddenly found themselves with the power of speech! The animals immediately pick up human foibles along with speech in the best tradition of Aesop's Fables and Orwell's _Animal_Farm_, and what results is a surprisingly honest look at the strengths and foolishness of human nature.I have not seen this cartoon since I was a kid, yet I will always remember that sequence when the animals run around trying desperately to tell people about the miracle happening in their midst only to be ignored into silence as they lose their one day of speech. The gentle critique of human nature in that moment has stayed with me my entire life.

barcino this film is terrific and should be shown every christmas, just as rudolph the red nose reindeer is. it is just as good. why have i never seen a rerun of it? . it is terrific and if it were real life would be better if animals did talk.