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The Shepherd

  • 2023
  • PG
  • 38m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
The Shepherd (2023)
On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home gets lost mid-flight over water and needs a miracle to land safely.
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
11 Photos
DramaFantasyShort

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.

  • Director
    • Iain Softley
  • Writers
    • Iain Softley
    • Frederick Forsyth
  • Stars
    • Ben Radcliffe
    • Claire Price
    • Scarlet Grace
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Iain Softley
    • Writers
      • Iain Softley
      • Frederick Forsyth
    • Stars
      • Ben Radcliffe
      • Claire Price
      • Scarlet Grace
    • 62User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Official Trailer

    Photos11

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    Top Cast14

    Edit
    Ben Radcliffe
    Ben Radcliffe
    • Freddie
    Claire Price
    Claire Price
    • Mum…
    Scarlet Grace
    Scarlet Grace
    • Sally
    Millie Kent
    Millie Kent
    • Lizzie
    Iwan Bond
    • Dashwood
    Simon Wilson
    Simon Wilson
    • S.S.O.
    Olatunji Ayofe
    Olatunji Ayofe
    • Jim…
    Simon Lennon
    • Jack
    John Travolta
    John Travolta
    • Johnny Kavanagh
    Steven Mackintosh
    Steven Mackintosh
    • F.L. Joe Marks
    Asan N'Jie
    Asan N'Jie
    • Army Jeep Driver
    Jack Donoghue
    Jack Donoghue
    • Army Passenger
    Luca Slade
    Luca Slade
    • RAF Serviceman
    • (uncredited)
    Mario Torella
    • Naval Commander
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Iain Softley
    • Writers
      • Iain Softley
      • Frederick Forsyth
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews62

    6.24.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8unsamuel

    A decent christmas movie but I wish it was longer

    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.
    Kirpianuscus

    nice

    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 .
    4laplante-co-672-297856

    Poor special effects diminish an already mediocre film

    The story is fine, but unremarkable.

    What I found distracting was the subpar CGI. The plane looks like a plastic model during the exterior shots, an effect exxagerated by the studio lights shining all over it.

    Similarly, you can easily discern the studio accent lighting in the eyes of the pilot, and on the surface of the cockpit cowling.

    I never believed for an instant that the wayward pilot was actually in an aircraft. The monochromatic acting by Radcliffe was probably influenced by the fact that he was sitting in a mockup in a studio somewhere. The flat delivery of his lines merely underscored the low budget feel of this short.

    Even the fog at the end looked like it was being generated just out of sight of the camera, and then being gently blown across the scene.

    Travolta's appearance was probably filmed in a day... more likely just a couple of hours. He's... there... and that's all that can be said of him.
    7Kingslaay

    Short and sweet

    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.
    10ishanidas-30700

    A Lovely Christmas Treat!!

    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!

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    Related interests

    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
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    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although 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.
    • Goofs
      Although 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.

    • Soundtracks
      In the Bleak Midwinter
      Written by Christina Georgina Rossetti (as Christina Rossetti)

      Performed by Sam Brophy

      Courtesy of BMG Music Production

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1, 2023 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Stream The Shepherd on Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • 惡水救援
    • Filming locations
      • Raynham Hangar Studios, West Raynham, Norfolk, England, UK(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Argo Films
      • BKStudios
      • Corona Content
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 38m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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