IMDb RATING
6.2/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home gets lost mid-flight over water and needs a miracle to land safely.On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home gets lost mid-flight over water and needs a miracle to land safely.On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home gets lost mid-flight over water and needs a miracle to land safely.
Luca Slade
- RAF Serviceman
- (uncredited)
Mario Torella
- Naval Commander
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
The only thing I didn't like about this movie is it was too short.
A little boring not gonna lie but it was better than most Christmas movies.
The cinematography was incredible and Ben Radcliff was great in it.
I wanna see him in better roles than this because I wanna see him further his acting skills.
I see potential in him!! Especially because I remember watching him in Evermoor Chronicles. Hopefully he'll be casted more after this.
Another thing, because apparently my review is too short. I honestly don't know what else to say.
I only watched this Disney because I was bored and had nothing to do.
A little boring not gonna lie but it was better than most Christmas movies.
The cinematography was incredible and Ben Radcliff was great in it.
I wanna see him in better roles than this because I wanna see him further his acting skills.
I see potential in him!! Especially because I remember watching him in Evermoor Chronicles. Hopefully he'll be casted more after this.
Another thing, because apparently my review is too short. I honestly don't know what else to say.
I only watched this Disney because I was bored and had nothing to do.
Found this while browsing Disney Plus and decided to give it a try, particularly as it's directed by Iain Softley who doesn't get nearly as much credit and recognition as he deserves (does anyone remember the excellent K-PAX for example?).
The movie draws us steadily into the story and maintains a mostly quiet and thoughtful atmosphere yet with some tension when required.
Not only did I enjoy the story but the visuals too - I am going to assume that the outside views of the aircraft when flying were CGI and not physical models with CGI 'enhancements', etc and, if so, they were very well created with a good sense of realism.
In summary: I enjoyed it a lot - despite the relatively short running time it never felt rushed.
Recommended.
The movie draws us steadily into the story and maintains a mostly quiet and thoughtful atmosphere yet with some tension when required.
Not only did I enjoy the story but the visuals too - I am going to assume that the outside views of the aircraft when flying were CGI and not physical models with CGI 'enhancements', etc and, if so, they were very well created with a good sense of realism.
In summary: I enjoyed it a lot - despite the relatively short running time it never felt rushed.
Recommended.
Ignore the negative reviews, someone with an axe to grind is trying to sink the ratings on this excellent short. My wife and I took a chance on this and loved every minute. Well acted, well directed, good story, not predictable, and best of all I was left feeling something inside, something good and uplifting. I would explain in more detail but I don't want to spoil the plot.
If you want to watch something that inspires and intrigues without vulgar language and violence and explosions, this is it.
I do have my own axe to grind with Disney in some ways-they have lost their way, and they insist of forcing people to watch the bad parts of some garbage they now distribute by denying access to VidAngel. BUT this short is beautiful and worth the watch. Make more of THIS, Disney.
"Stand with anyone who stands right. Stand with them while they are right, and walk away when they are wrong." - Abraham Lincoln.
If you want to watch something that inspires and intrigues without vulgar language and violence and explosions, this is it.
I do have my own axe to grind with Disney in some ways-they have lost their way, and they insist of forcing people to watch the bad parts of some garbage they now distribute by denying access to VidAngel. BUT this short is beautiful and worth the watch. Make more of THIS, Disney.
"Stand with anyone who stands right. Stand with them while they are right, and walk away when they are wrong." - Abraham Lincoln.
I do not know the short story by Frederick Forsyth . I am not familiar with aviation details . And I liked this short film, first for message, second for the pleasant story status before Christmas.
No doubts , many motives to critic him, including for political correctness drops and for some unrealism in large slices. But I love Gothic stories - and, in this case, its elements are well present, I saw with sympathy the craft of tension and I was just happy discovering John Travolta in a role reminding his early ones.
The sin ? Maybe predactibility. But it is a Disney film and Schedryk covers all defects .
No doubts , many motives to critic him, including for political correctness drops and for some unrealism in large slices. But I love Gothic stories - and, in this case, its elements are well present, I saw with sympathy the craft of tension and I was just happy discovering John Travolta in a role reminding his early ones.
The sin ? Maybe predactibility. But it is a Disney film and Schedryk covers all defects .
This is a great way to spend 40 minutes. An engaging tale that is short, sharp and well executed.
There are a few flaws and the film isn't perfect but looking past a few inaccuracies, you have a great story set across a Christmas background which really gives this short and extra element, making this a good family watch.
It's possibly the little kid in me, watching planes and the classic Military themes intertwined with a Christmas backdrop but this is has a real nostalgia piece that is visually fantastic!
Lastly the casting is solid, Ben Radcliffe is charming in the lead role. While Travolta as Kavanagh is excellent, giving that feel of care and experience the role needed. This felt like a great role for Travolta in the twilight of his career.
All in all, looking for a short good Christmas watch and something I look forward to showing to my kids when they're old enough. The 8/10 maybe be little high for this but this film just sung to me.
There are a few flaws and the film isn't perfect but looking past a few inaccuracies, you have a great story set across a Christmas background which really gives this short and extra element, making this a good family watch.
It's possibly the little kid in me, watching planes and the classic Military themes intertwined with a Christmas backdrop but this is has a real nostalgia piece that is visually fantastic!
Lastly the casting is solid, Ben Radcliffe is charming in the lead role. While Travolta as Kavanagh is excellent, giving that feel of care and experience the role needed. This felt like a great role for Travolta in the twilight of his career.
All in all, looking for a short good Christmas watch and something I look forward to showing to my kids when they're old enough. The 8/10 maybe be little high for this but this film just sung to me.
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough this is the short story's first screen adaptation, the story has been read nearly every Christmas Eve, or the Friday night closest to it, on CBC Radio One's radio show, "As it Happens" by Alan Maitland since 1979.
- GoofsAlthough withdrawn from front line fighter service in 1953, the Vampire remained in service as a ground attack and training aircraft and was only fully retired in 1966.
- Quotes
Johnny Kavanagh: Okay, we're three miles out. Follow me down, I'm taking you home.
- SoundtracksIn the Bleak Midwinter
Written by Christina Georgina Rossetti (as Christina Rossetti)
Performed by Sam Brophy
Courtesy of BMG Music Production
- How long is The Shepherd?Powered by Alexa
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- Also known as
- The Shepherd
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- Runtime
- 38m
- Color
- Sound mix
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