Name: The Shepherd
Director: Iain Softley
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama
Released: 2023-08-10
Duration: 39 min
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Ben Radcliffe, John Travolta, Steven Mackintosh, Scarlet Grace, Millie Kent

John Travolta as a ghostly guardian angel? This 39-minute miracle will wreck your Christmas.

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Spooky yet cozyOld-school Spielberg energyMidnight mass meets Twilight Zone

Overview

Fantasy Action Drama

On Christmas Eve, a fighter pilot on his way home becomes lost while flying over water and needs a miracle to land safely.

Content warning

Redemption through sacrificeThe isolation of wartime dutyFaith as navigation

Standout Aspects

Cinematography

Fog-drenched aerial sequences that breathe.

Acting

Travolta's quietly devastating turn as the shepherd.

Best for:Solo·Family

Heads up:Emotional

Director

Iain Softley

ReleasedAug 10, 2023

Runtime39m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelheavy

BKStudios

Top Cast

Ben Radcliffe

Freddie

John Travolta

Johnny Kavanagh

Steven Mackintosh

Joe

Scarlet Grace

Sally

Millie Kent

Lizzie

Asan N'Jie

Army Jeep Driver

Luca Slade

RAF Serviceman

Simon Lennon

Jack

Olatunji Ayofe

Jim

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Based on Frederick Forsyth's 1975 novella; the author himself was a RAF pilot who experienced near-death navigation failures.

Insight

The 39-minute runtime mirrors classic TV Christmas specials like 'The Snowman'—Disney+ deliberately revived the lost art of the hour-long holiday film.