Disney+ has released the first trailer for the upcoming short film “The Shepherd,” premiering on Dec. 1.
The story follows Ben Radcliffe as Freddie Hooke, a young Royal Air Force pilot flying home across the North Sea on Christmas Eve. He finds himself in peril when his radio and electricity cut out, leaving him stranded and running on limited fuel. John Travolta, who also executive produced the short, plays a mysterious, good Samaritan rescue pilot who appears at just the right moment.
Steven Mackintosh, Millie Kent, Simon Wilson, Iwan Bond, Claire Price, Simon Lennon, Jack Donoghue, Asan N’Jie, Olatunji Ayofe and Scarlet Grace also star.
Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón serves as the film’s producer, while Iain Softley writes and directs. Cuarón said in a statement, “John, Iain and myself have been long-time admirers of the beloved short novel by Frederick Forsyth. I am thrilled that we have been able to jointly share our love of this story.” He went on to say, “Being old friends with Iain, he was the perfect match to bring this beloved narrative to life on film for the first time. After the success of last year’s short, ‘Le Pupille,’ and working with director Alice Rohrwacher, it’s really inspiring to be building out a collection of short films that celebrate the season with such talented filmmakers who each bring their own unique vision and cinematic style.”
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, added, “This beautifully crafted adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novella spotlights the talents of our award-winning team of filmmakers. We are delighted to work with our friends at Esperanto Filmoj on another Christmas fable that can be enjoyed by families everywhere.”
This is the second collaboration between Cuarón and Disney+ following last year’s “Le Pupille” from director Rohrwacher, which landed a nomination for best live-action short film at the 95th Academy Awards.
Softley first came across “The Shepherd” when producer Richard Johns approached him to adapt it from the novella. Said Softley, “I was attracted from the beginning by the story’s many qualities. It is an exquisite, contained Christmas fable, both mysterious and profoundly moving with a couple of unexpected twists. We all hope that this film will touch audiences in the way that it touched us and will be appreciated across many generations and cultures.”
They met with Travolta to discuss him playing the role of the older pilot after they learned he had optioned the novella 30 years ago with the view of playing the lead. With his lifelong passion for aircraft, Travolta came on board as both a star and executive producer.
Joining Johns as producers are Bill Kenwright and Gabriela Rodriguez. “The Shepherd” is executive produced by Travolta, David Gilbery, Naomi George and Lila Rawlings. John Mathieson serves as the director of photography with music by Anne Chmelewsky.
Watch the trailer below.
