The Christmas Stallion

No more than a poor 6th form project.

If I save anyone from watching this I have served a purpose in this life.

When Alan Davis (Daniel J. Travanti) returns to his Welsh home after the death of his father to take charge of the farm and his young neice, he finds much he has to contemplate with, namely his own memories and the town rich man who wants to buy the farm to open a leisure center and golf course.

Daniel J. Travanti never gives the impression of a native Welsh man. He never looks out of place or showing any hint of remembrance.

Hands down, the scene stealers are Sian MacLean as the neice, Gwyn, and Patrick Loomer, as Davis' stepson, Cliff. Cliff conveys all the "what am I doing here?" feelings.

Sian MacLean obviously is from the country, as she handles the horses and walks around the countryside as tho she has been there.

The Christmas horserace with Gwyn as an angel, racing against Father Christmas and an elf, among others, is truly a pinnacle.

There will never be an animal as majestic and as beautiful as a horse, and in the end, when we see why the title is "The Christmas Stallion" it is quite obvious.

I caught the ending of this movie one Chirstmas on TNT and saw it was filmed in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, which was where me mum was born. It would be reshown on TNT a week later and I made sure I watched it. Still have it on tape. Not a disappointment.

For me this was a feast of pure delight. It was a blast from the past for anyone who recalls and loved the likes of Follyfoot or Black Beauty. Yes I was one of those girls who discovered horses before boys. This was my childhood, this was how I grew up. I would love to know exactly where this was filmed (the vale of glamorgan is not a small area) but I digress. Its a tale of a greedy developer vs the elderly gentleman farmer who wants one particular farm to allow access to his dream of a country club. Add in a very jealous local lad who is too territorial and you have a bit of a smelting pot. I confess I was wringing my hands over the foal towards the end!

I loved and thoroughly enjoyed this visit to my past, I am left with acwarmth in my stomach that has nothing to do with Christmas cheer.