Le berger

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 .

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.

I was pleasantly surprised with The Shepherd. It succeeds in making the use of every minute, it does not waste time and gets straight to its storyline and key events. Yet you do not feel it is rushed at all. I found myself feeling that maybe a lot of films and productions can take a page from their book. So many unnecessary features are added to many Christmas films, films in general. Sometimes stripping it back to its core basics and main plot points works. Simplicity can be very effective and wholesome. A nice little story was conveyed about the magic of Christmas, it was a good Samaritan in the air.

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.

A short story that will warm your hearts for Christmas. This movie gave me so much hope and reminds that the end of the year and the holidays are all about hope, and love. It was merry, suspenseful, and had so many emotions that it brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy I got to start my holidays with this beautiful movie.

For the plot, it is a story of a young flying officer who wants to go home for Christmas to his girlfriend whom he dearly loves, however mid air his flight suffers multiple technical failures and he gets stranded over the north sea. The rest, you better watch and find out.

I remember a lie which really touched me, I guess it goes like "Lizzie I am not scared but sad of all the things we would not be able to do together..." Definitely lovely!