We’re officially in December! Now we only have 25 more days of bingeing Christmas movies! If you’re not up for a feature-length film right now, maybe you should try The Shepherd, which is available starting today on Disney Plus!

Based on the Frederick Forsyth book of the same name, The Shepherd stars Ben Radcliffe and John Travolta in a tale of a man searching for his father after WWII. The short story takes place on Christmas Eve, 1957, so it’s perfect for the holiday season!

I won’t spoil things for those who’ve never read the short story, but it is a classic. Oddly, it has never been adapted in this fashion before. Previous adaptations of The Shepherd have all been radio dramas.

Iain Softley directed The Shepherd. His other films include the underrated Inkheart, The Skeleton Key, and 1995’s Hackers. Yes, that Hackers!

You can check out the 39-minute short by clicking here!

“On Christmas Eve, a young Royal Air Force pilot flying home across the North Sea finds himself in peril when his radio and electric power cut out, leaving him stranded and running on limited fuel. Just when it appears his luck is about to run out, a mysterious good Samaritan guides him to safety.“

The radio broadcast versions of The Shepherd are still available. The original, which was read by Alan Maitland on CBC Radio, is linked below:

OK, so maybe military stories set during the festive season aren’t your cup of tea. In that case, how about some retro Christmas classics that you can stream on YouTube right now? Click here to check out our Top 10 Christmas Special list and get your fill!

Were you previously familiar with Frederick Forsyth’s short story or the radio broadcasts? Let us know in the comments section below!

[Source: Disney Plus Streaming Service]