Hope, Community, and a Sense of Angels Being Among Us: The Shepherd provides one of 2023’s More Moving Viewing Experiences, One Destined To Live With Viewers Forever
When I was 4 years old, I received a Christmas present from my father. At the time, he was in a battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma — a form of cancer originating from the lining of one’s proximal convoluted tubule within the kidney. The Christmas present also served as a life lesson — one where, as I grew older, I would need to remember, to discover the joy that is the journey of life.
‘The Precious Present.’
28 days into the new year, the Angels came to take my Daddy to Heaven. Ever since, ‘The Precious Present’ has been there for me during critical moments of my life. A reminder to remain grounded and humble in life while also being able to enjoy the journey wherever that may lead me.
Similar, albeit different sentiments were not only felt by writer and director Iain Softley, but Producer Alfonso Cuarón and Executive Producer John Travolta. Their sentiments came from a 1975 novella from Frederick Forsyth CBE. The fifth in his bibliography, Forsyth penned a narrative centered around symbolisms of hope, support, togetherness, and confidence. A narrative of relatability that has the ability to speak to the general public at just the right time.
‘The Shepherd.’
Powerful, thought-provoking, and a MUST WATCH this holiday season, The Shepherd will not only become a generational gem in the vein of Santa and Pete, Joyeux Noël, and The Christmas Card (among many others) but will be remembered as one of 2023’s most exquisite showcases of the cinematic craft.
The crispness in The Shepherd’s delivery highlights how personal of a story this was for Softley. The viewer will be able to feel the sentiments that spoke to Softley, who also wrote the adapted screenplay, when he first read the novella: a sense of one’s surrounding community and its importance not merely during the holiday season but every day of the calendar year. This continues with how John Mathieson’s cinematography beautifully adds to Softley’s vision. The editing from Gareth C. Scales also stands out from a filmmaking standpoint. A particular portion of ‘The Shepherd’s’ story would see a routine dissolve, yet editor Gareth C. Scales opted to utilize another technique that is fascinating to think about. A reflection of how the simplest of choices prove to be the most fascinating of studies in the construction of a masterpiece.
Ben Radcliffe carries The Shepherd in a performance emphasizing the abilities of an actor. From the showcasing of confidence on both levels of elevation and deescalation to realization and senses of thankfulness and gratitude. From the humility in Radcliffe’s delivery as his character walks through an operational station, to that MOVING moment of realization involving a photograph during the falling action. A showcase of range, it is a performance reminiscent of Hollywood titans from before. Only 24 years old, it is with hope this performance will see Radcliffe worthy of opportunity amongst the industry’s very best.
The Shepherd is destined to become a new modern classic for the holiday season. As this short film is released across Disney+, it is with hope that the powers that be at Disney would consider showcasing this short as a new holiday tradition for ABC. It is of timeless caliber — one worthy to be showcased for the whole family over network television on a Sunday night.
We all have that one story or that one moment that lives with us forever. Stories that speak to us and help us grow. Stories we wish to share with the masses in the hope they have the same impact they had on us. Personal, these stories evolve us into the individuals we are today, reminding us of our journey in life and what we are to do to make it great.
A precious present.
That was The Shepherd for Softley, Cuarón, and Travolta. A story that spoke to them and the power of community. A powerful sentiment of angels being amongst us.
The Shepherds of the sky — the equivalence of a guardian angel, serving as a pilot’s guiding light — as my Daddy is to me looking down from heaven.
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5 on a scale of 5
(Thumbs WAY Up)
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The Shepherd arrived directly to Disney+ on December 1st.
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