snipertrr8 Review of The Shepherd

The Shepherd (I) (2023)

Disney destroyed yet another Classic story!!!!

[1/10 · 2 December 2023]

Fredrick Forsythe wrote a masterful Christmas story that is on par with "Its a Wonderful Life". Every detail of the radio broadcast held audiences captivated for years when the BBC broadcast it in Europe. I was introduced to the story as a boy who loved audiobooks, and my mom got me a copy because it had an airplane on the jacket. Literally every part of the original was magic and perfectly done. Disney took it and added unnecessary characters (girlfriend), messed up scenes ( compass and electronics failure), butchered the dialog, omitted the alcoholic stores depot Officer and the endearing clerk in favor of a cheery "ghost" which further detracts from the Johnny Kavanaugh character. They leave out the phone calls and conversations with Mirriam St George Officers and those of the weather squadron command from Norrich that are vital to the story. Worst sin of all to this travesty of a screenplay, my guess is that Travolta wouldn't do a non speaking roll. So the ghost plane with a war hero pilot that died years before but comes back to save lost souls is given the ability to speak. This destroys the magic of Kavanaughs character completely. Basically if you are unfamiliar with the original story and radio broadcast, this show is a poorly done show with a reasonably boring story. If you have ever been that starry eyed boy, girl, man, woman, or military historian that sat in awe yearly during the airing of this absolute masterpiece of literature, this version is a complete travesty and a waste of your time to view. Disney.........you.........____!!!!!!!!!!