What the community of St. Nicholas, Iowa lacks in size, it makes up for in enthusiasm. So when the mayor and local veterinarian, Sarah (Ann Jillian), reveals that a doctor is needed to keep the area hospital open, the town jumps at the chance to fill the position. The top candidate is hometown hero Mike (Robert Hays), the widower son of a local man (Jack Palance), who is a practicing surgeon in the city. St. Nicholas welcomes Mike and his daughter with open arms when they visit for Christmas, but moving back to town permanently is more complicated than it seems. Since losing his wife, Mike has struggled in his profession and his love life...both of which he must confront if he returns to St. Nicholas for good.This film is really good. For adults but it is family safe. People with short attention spans will be bored. However movie fans will enjoy this because Jack Palance isn't playing the heavy. In this he plays a NICE GUY/GRANDFATHER. HE is wonderful and I just wish the film had more of him in it.This film is really cheap to buy. It's on Amazon but be careful. There is several films that have this title however this is usually in DVD Multi Title Packs where you get more than one movie in a single purchase.

Just another run-of-the-mill,Hallmark-like,tear-jerker Xmas movie.It's set up so syrup-like, especially the music, that it had me looking at my watch. (not a good sign). You know exactly how it's gonna end way before the ending and that to me just doesn't make for good movie watching experience.This would have been a great half hour episode of some Christmas show But you can't really get all the dynamics of the storyline in that time frame either.Everyone involved especially the main stars, Ann Jillian, Robert Hays, Ashley Gorrell and the late great Jack Palance were good.I definitely could see the beautiful Ann Jillian as the mayor and vet of the small Mayberry-like town and the always reliable Robert Hays as a surgeon who has lost his confidence and courage in himself and comes back to this his hometown and try to find himself, The young Ashley Gorrell did OK as his daughter and the wonderful late Jack Palance as grandpa Bob was a special treat.I did not care for the falseness of the towns people who because they need a doctor, act like they so much care for the Hays character so he will stay on. I just feel the hypocrisy of the people and they act like that because of what they want. If they didn't need Hays, they would have care less he was back in town type of deal. All fake for me. All in all not a bad film but for me a one time viewing only type of deal. So , get a box of Kleenex and warm up the hot chocolate and marshmallows, and see it for yourself.

This is a great movie.(I would rate this as one of my all time favorite movies) I usually cannot watch movies a second time but this is one movie I can watch over and over. Ashley Gorrell is awesome in this movie and the cast all seem to click together. This is a movie everyone can enjoy. You will need a box of Kleenex when watching this movie. Ann Jillian, Jack Palance, Robert Hays, Ashley Gorrell are great together. I would love to see a sequel to this movie You won't regret purchasing or renting this movie. I'll Be Home For Christmas is a must see every year at the holidays and gets one ready for the holidays. It puts Christmas in perspective and makes you realize how important family, friends and community are. A+

I adore Christmas movies and had hoped this one would be another to add to my long list of "must watch" movies during the Christmas season. Unfortunately, it wasn't.Spoiler follows----The story line, while plausible in some aspects (small towns without physicians) became so unbelievable that I spent the second hour shaking my head and muttering "no way" under my breath. I am an ER RN and there was not one iota of accuracy anywhere in the climax of this movie. The ER physician couldn't seem to decide whether his still speaking patient was in "cardiac arrest" or in "tachycardia" since he stated "cardiac arrest" first. All the while the actual rhythm shown on the monitor was atrial flutter. No physician would ever be allowed or presume to take over a surgery on his own family member. It is unethical at the least. A stranger wouldn't be told anything about a staff physician by the admin of the hospital, especially medical information about the physician's "panic attacks" unless she came armed with a subpoena. These were just a few of the completely unbelievable moments. There was so much potential to this movie but unfortunately because of the above, my recommendation is to pass this one by.