Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977): Cast & Plot
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey is a 1977 short family animated film directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr., starring Eric Stern as Nestor (voice), Paul Frees and Linda Gary. It runs 25 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 25 min
- Directors
- Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Rankin/Bass Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey About?
The premise of Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in the Roman Empire, a tiny donkey named Nestor is born with extraordinarily long ears—so large they could cover six donkeys and touch the ground. His oversized ears constantly land him in mischief. One freezing night he is locked out, forcing him to drift alone across the desert, sparking his unlikely adventure. His huge ears point the way.
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- christmas
- christmas special
- animal character name as title
- nestor the donkey character
- six word title
- stable
- talking donkey
- santa claus character
- rudolph the red nosed reindeer
- nativity scene
- ancestor
- told in flashback
+38 more Show fewer
- roman empire
- long ears
- winter solstice
- roman army
- misfit
- mother son relationship
- self sacrifice
- loss of mother
- storyteller
- narrator
- bethlehem
- mission from god
- desert
- merchant
- camel
- star of bethlehem
- nativity story
- mary of nazareth character
- the virgin mary character
- pregnant woman
- joseph of nazareth character
- journey
- star
- sandstorm
- angel
- manger
- three wise men
- magi
- unsung hero
- reference to rudolph the red nosed reindeer
- reindeer
- santa's elf
- north pole
- hero's welcome
- ears
- donkey
- sacrifice
- cherub
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Cast & Characters
Eric Stern leads the cast as Nestor (voice), with Paul Frees as Santa Claus / Olaf / Donkey Dealer (voice) and Linda Gary as Nestor's Mother (voice). Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Jules Bass
- Co-director Arthur Rankin, Jr.
- Eric Stern as Nestor (voice)
- Paul Frees as Santa Claus / Olaf / Donkey Dealer (voice)
- Linda Gary as Nestor's Mother (voice)
-
Brenda Vaccaro as Tilly (voice)
Also Starring in Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
· 4 more- Don Messick Roman Soldier (voice)
- Roger Miller Speiltoe / Narrator (voice)
- Iris Rainer Young Donkeys (voice)
- Shelly Hines Young Donkeys (voice)
More from Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.
More films directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr., best-rated first: The Last Unicorn, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, The Wind in the Willows and The Coneheads.
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Plot Summary
What happens in Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In this animated tale, Spieltoe, Santa Claus’s donkey, serves as the narrator of two intertwined stories. He details his duties at the North Pole and leads viewers on a tour of the stables where his reindeer, including Rudolph, reside. The donkey also recounts the ancient tale of Nestor, his ancestor who lived in a stable during the days of the Roman Empire.
Full summary
The whole story of Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, scene by scene
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Videos
The clip of Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.
How Well Do You Know Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who serves as the narrator of the story?
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Нестор, длинноухий рождественский ослик” and “Néstor, el burrito de largas orejas”.
- Also known as
-
- Нестор, длинноухий рождественский ослик
- Néstor, el burrito de largas orejas
- Nestor, el burro navideño de orejas largas
Seen Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey?
Movies Like Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Story of Christmas, The Small One and Silent Night: The Story of the First Christmas.
-
The Story of Christmas 1994 -
The Small One 1978 -
Silent Night: The Story of the First Christmas 2000 -
The Star 2017 -
Rabbit Ears - The Lion and the Lamb 1996 -
Christmas Story 2007 -
A Boy Called Christmas 2021 -
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1948 -
Nick & Noel 1993 -
Christmas in New York 2005 -
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys 2001 -
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1964
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey?
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey runs 25 minutes.
When was Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey released?
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey was released on December 3, 1977.
Who directed Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey?
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey was directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.
More films by Jules Bass Who is in the cast of Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey?
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey stars Eric Stern as Nestor (voice), Paul Frees as Santa Claus / Olaf / Donkey Dealer (voice) and Linda Gary as Nestor's Mother (voice), among 8 credited actors.
Does Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey have a post-credit scene?
No. Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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