Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Robbie the Reindeer is as short as many of the made-for-TV classics that have preceded it, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but so much action, zippy dialogue, and witty visual puns have been packed into its 29-minute running time that you'd swear it was longer. For this reason, it also stands up to repeat viewing better than some of the more straightforward programs of recent years, although it is directed toward a slightly older audience--age 10 and up--due to some sexual innuendo. Whether Robbie will become a holiday perennial in the U.S. is yet to be seen, but he appears to have won the hearts of the U.K. and shares a lineage with another stop-motion favorite, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Robbie just happens to be Rudolph's son, and Pop is keen to see his lovable--but lazy--progeny follow in his famous hoof prints. Adults may get a kick out of the fact that the story line was actually inspired more by Rocky than by Rudolph. As in Rocky, there's a supportive female (Donner) and a crusty old trainer (Old Jingle). Together they help Robbie get in shape for the Reindeer Games, where he'll have the chance to show Santa whether he has the right stuff or not. Fans of Aardman Animations should appreciate the detailed animation and clever humor. The cream of Britain's comic crop provides the voices, including Jane Horrocks (Absolutely Fabulous) as Donner. Pop singer Robbie Williams narrates the story, and Mark Knopfler provides the music. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Description
Two fabulously funny animated holiday classics brought to you by a brilliant creative team including writer Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones' Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) and directed by Richard Goleszowski (Wallace & Gromit, Rex The Runt)
Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire - He's a bit lazy, a bit chubby, and totally lovesick. Robbie is at a crossroad in life and is soon convinced he's hopelessly unfit to join Santa's sleigh team. So begins his first hilariously hip adventure, as Robbie learns there is no easy route to success and that hard work and talent get rewarded in the end.
Robbie the Reindeer in Legend of the Lost Tribe - Follow Robbie as he sets out to discover a mythical tribe of lost Viking warriors to help him save his friends from another dastardly plot by the evil Blitzen and his new-found partner-in-crime The White Rabbit. Robbie is having girl trouble too - Donner is feeling neglected and decides to give Robbie an ultimatum. Can Robbie save the day, keep his girl and unravel the mystery of the Legend of the Lost Tribe?DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Director Commentary
Biographies:US and UK vocal talent biographies
Featurette:"Making of" featurettes for both programs
Other:Alternate UK vocal track
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Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Disappointed times ten - no holiday classic here..., Sep 7, 2023
When I first heard about Robbie the Reindeer I ordered up, but once it arrived and we popped it into our DVD player only to have our hopes dashed as we watched a short that has absolutely nothing to do with the holidays - unless your view of the holidays is to pull any string possible to make a buck (no pun intended).
The reason I gave the two stars that I did was because the animation is good, and some of the characters are moderately endearing, though I didn't see the need to make the female reindeer somewhat anatomically correct. Other than that, I found that this effort is lacking.
I did, however, like the timid vikings in the second short on the disc.
If you are looking for anyting in the same league as Wallace and Gromit here, you will, in my opinion, be disappointed.
Sorry, that's how I see it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Redone in America?????, Nov 18, 2022
Um, when looking at this DVD to replace the one my 2 yr old wore out I was surprised to locate other descriptions elsewhere which talked about using american voices for the soundtrack! It appears above you can still hear the "Alternate UK Vocal Track" So 3 stars for changing the voices!!! Amazon you may want to revise your description. Not to mention the second story on it.
As for the original Robbie it is a riot. There is so much to notice I still see new things the 50th (??) time around. My 2 yr old asks for Robbie every day. He likes to run in the reindeer games by racing around the house.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
 "Power, one of the few things nicer than toast", Dec 13, 2022
Okay, so these aren't as great as the Wallace and Gromit films, but they are pretty funny. We actually like "The Lost Tribe" better than "Hooves"; it is wackier and has more action - and Vikings! Blitzen's evil is delightful; his comparison of power and toast just cracked me up! There's more than a hint of Monty Python about "Lost Tribe" (the Viking flashback sequences are a key example). We found the US voice versions really flat and always listen to the UK versions; I think that the US version was done so that American audiences would have voices that they recognized, but Jane Horrocks' voice beats Britney Spears' voice hands down! One note - neither of the stories is actually about Christmas, but they ARE about reindeer and the North Pole. Our two year old loves the films, and we like them quite well, but what you think of them will depend on what you were expecting.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
 Why the US Voice Overs??, Dec 6, 2022
This is a fantastic short that I've seen before on TV and thought wow I'll buy the DVD. No real regrets but what a shock and disappointment I got when I noticed a distinct change in voice overs. What they've done is taken away those wonderful characterful voices from the original and dubbed over weak and uninvolving American voices. Who do we think we are changing something this good just because they are not home grown accents. This is arrogant and to be frank all I dislike about this great but often self-centered country of ours.
6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire, Aug 29, 2023
I think I am little disappointed perhaps because I expected The Wrong Trousers or A Close Shave class of creation. I bought this with the hope that my 2 year old will like it as much as he likes the two Wallace and Gromit adventures. It is apparent that he is not enjoying it as much. Some good punch lines but lacks the drama and tempo which W & G has to offer. The clay work too is fairly crude compared to W & G.
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