Prancer (1989)

A farm girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa's, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas. Her holiday spirit inspires those around her, something her disheartened father is having trouble understanding.

Director:

John D. Hancock (as John Hancock)

Writer:

Greg Taylor

Stars:

Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Rutanya Alda

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sam Elliott	...	John Riggs
Cloris Leachman	...	Mrs. McFarland
Rutanya Alda	...	Aunt Sarah
Abe Vigoda	...	Orel Benton
Michael Constantine	...	Mr. Stewart / Santa
Rebecca Harrell Tickell	...	Jessica Riggs
John Duda	...	Steve Riggs (as John Joseph Duda)
Ariana Richards	...	Carol Wetherby
Mark Rolston	...	Herb Drier
Johnny Galecki	...	Billy Quinn
Walter Charles	...	Minister
Victor Truro	...	Mr. Young
Marcia Porter	...	Mrs. Fairburn
Loren Janes	...	Mr. Soot
Robert Zimmermann	...	Wagnall

Storyline

Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides him in her barn and feeds him cookies, until she can return him to Santa. Her father finds him and decides to sell him to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.

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Plot Keywords:

reindeer | christmas | holiday | farm | barn | 

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Taglines:

Joy. Tears. Drama. Laughter. And a 9-year-old who proves that miracles can still happen.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jessica und das Rentier

Filming Locations:

New Carlisle, Indiana, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,914,486, 19 November 1989, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$18,587,135

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineplex-Odeon Films, Nelson Entertainment, Raffaella Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally set to be released by Cineplex Odeon Films, owned by the titular theatre chain, one of the largest in North America. However, due to a regime change, Cineplex Odeon dropped its distribution rights, and it eventually ended up at Orion.

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Goofs

From the "non-splintery" broken edges of the smashed deer-statue, it is clear that the statues are plastic, yet Carol states that they are made of wood.

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Quotes

Jessica Riggs: He's magical, Carol!

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Connections

References He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983)

User Reviews

Sincere and heartwarming Christmas movie...

This is one of the best contemporary Christmas movies made. A very sincere and sweet movie, but one that won't give you tooth decay. Rebecca Harrell gives one of the most believable and intelligent performances as a young girl who nurses an injured reindeer back to health and holds the belief that the reindeer is indeed Prancer. Sam Elliot gives a strong performance as the girl's apple farmer father who has fallen on hard times and is trying to raise his kids without a mother. The rural scenery of this film is beautiful of the farms and woodlands and gives the film a real feeling of Christmas. A very simple plot fuels the movie, but it grows surprisingly darker and deeper as the film progresses and will be tugging at your heart strings by it's conclusion. Highly recommended viewing for kids and adults and all believers of Santa Claus.