The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection, renamed The Best Ever Christmas Collection in New Zealand, is a UK/AUS/NZ VHS featuring four first series episodes and four second series episodes narrated by Ringo Starr, seven third series episodes and two fourth series episodes narrated by Michael Angelis, and one song (UK only). In New Zealand, the third series episodes were narrated by George Carlin. It was re-released in the UK in 2002 as Christmas Fun Tape.
This special presentation features one and a half hours of Thomas' favourite Christmas stories. Narrated by Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis, this festive video is packed with loads of exciting adventures about Thomas and his friends.
Old Iron - James is feeling proud of himself but when some boys meddle with his controls, he soon learns his lesson.
Pop Goes the Diesel - Duck orders the big engines about and they are glad when oily Diesel arrives, but Duck has his doubts and the trucks misbehave.
The Diseasel - Some silly trucks cause trouble between Bill and Ben the tank engine twins and a diesel called BoCo. Confusion reigns until Edward puffs in.
A Scarf for Percy - Percy dreams of wearing a nice warm scarf around his funnel to keep out the winter winds. What a surprise he gets when his wish comes true!
Time for Trouble - James is asked to pull the Express and becomes proud and boastful. His impatience lands him in an undignified situation.
Trust Thomas - Bertie learns that he can trust an engine - especially if his name is Thomas. Gordon and James prove to be less trustworthy.
Mavis - Here, we welcome Mavis, a young diesel engine who works at the quarry. She causes Toby a lot of trouble, because she still has much to learn about trucks.
One Good Turn - Bill and Ben have trouble on the turntable and end up face to face.
Bulgy - It was sightseeing season on the Island of Sodor and Bertie and the engines were busy. Their busy timetable is disrupted by a devious double-decker called Bulgy.
Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure - The Snowfalls have come and the villagers are stranded. Together, Harold, Terence, Thomas and Percy come to the rescue and get a nice surprise for all their hard work.
Sleeping Beauty - Duke was left all alone in the shed after the mine closed down. Years later, a group of visitors to the Island of Sodor begin a journey to find Duke and reunite him with his old friends Stuart and Falcon.
Bulldog - Sir Handel is eager to rush out and show off his new coat of paint. Duke warns him to slow down.
Due to the episodes being taken from the Endeavour Entertainment masters, the New Zealand release features the Nameboards, and the end of Thomas' Christmas Party uses red text, whilst the UK/Australian releases use yellow text.
This was the first Thomas VHS to feature the 1996-1998 VCI Children's Promo.
This was the last VHS in Australia to feature the original Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends logo on the cover.
An alternate label exists of the New Zealand release with a different font.
Goofs
Several mistakes are present on the New Zealand release:
On the back cover, only Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis are listed as the narrators, but George Carlin narrates the third series episodes. This is because the Australian cover was used as a base. Thomas and Percy's Mountain Adventure is also listed with the UK title.
During the nameboard sequence between The Flying Kipper and Thomas' Christmas Party, Thomas' nameboard is used twice.
Just as the end credits of Pop Goes the Diesel come to a close, it slows down for a second before reverting back to the original pitch and tempo. Upon viewing, this can be assumed to be a playback error if one was to watch it, but it has been proven to be an editing error.
When the opening begins for A Scarf for Percy, the last bit of the Britt Allcroft jingle can be heard.
Starting with One Good Turn, the audio drastically increases in volume.
The first few seconds of several episodes are cut off.
Some mistakes are also present on the 1996 UK tape:
The audio increases in volume when the Series 3 episodes begin and then increases again when the Series 4 episodes begin.
During the intro for Sleeping Beauty, the end of the Britt Allcroft jingle is heard despite not appearing.