It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Review

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a short animation television special. Charlie Brown and his friends, who also go by The Peanuts, celebrate  Halloween. But Linus has another plan on Halloween, to wait for the great pumpkin. This animation was released in 1996 for the first time on air. It is based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.

In the animation, The Peanuts dress up as ghosts and witches to go trick or treating. While all the kids get candy, Charlie only seems to get a bag full of rocks. Although, even with a bag full of rocks Charlie is still happy to just be with his friends. Charlie Brown gets an invite to a party for the first time. By mistake that is. But despite the invitation not being for him, he still goes and makes the best of it. All while this is happening Snoopy is flying his doghouse and shooting down enemies. Snoopy is Charlie Brown’s dog. For Halloween, Snoopy dresses up as a World War 1 flying ace. Instead of trick or treating with the group, Snoopy demonstrates his take on WWI.

Every year Linus misses Halloween because he spends his night in the pumpkin patch. Waiting for the one and only Great Pumpkin. The great pumpkin is suppose to show up at the most sincere pumpkin patch.  Additionally, the pumpkin is suppose to fly through the air and deliver gifts according to Linus. The group tries to drag Linus along for the fun, but Linus rather stay. Sally, is then left to choose between trick or treating for the first time or stay with Linus. Because she likes Linus, she decides to stay and wait for the great pumpkin.

Charles  M. Schulz is the writer and animator of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. The director is Bill Melendez. The animation includes actors, Peter Robbins who plays Charlie Brown, and Christopher Shea as the beloved Linus. Personally, I believe this is the best Charlie Brown special. It is family friendly, but I do think children should be a bit older as somethings the characters say are not nice. As well as some mean comments, it also includes big words. Sometimes that may be hard for small kids to fully grasp. The overall theme was lighthearted and comical. I like how Charlie Brown was capable of finding the bright side no matter what. I give this animation a 4 out of 5. It is like getting a king size candy bar in your trick or treat bag.