I find it hard to believe I’m about to recommend a new Christmas film, much less one that’s a Disney+ original. Lately I haven’t been impressed with anything Disney has released. I also haven’t run across many new Christmas specials created in the past couple of years that have the staying power of the classics.

Yet, I greatly recommend a short film The Shepherd that hasn’t been getting a whole lot of publicity. The film is based on the 1975 novella by British author Frederick Forsyth and takes place on Christmas Eve 1957 when a young RAF pilot stationed in Germany gets the last minute opportunity to fly home to see his family and best girl for Christmas.

The flight is supposed to be a simple, short trip, and the weather conditions look fine. When he experiences not only sudden fog over the North Sea, as well as a complete systems failure of his de Havilland Vampire, things quickly turn dire. Unable to contact anyone for assistance, he begins to pray and to resolve himself to his fate. Then he receives some unexpected assistance.

That’s all I’m going really to tell you about the plot, except this genre is one of my favorite to read year around. Especially in the “Bleak Midwinter” of December. The film is only 38 minutes long, which is plenty long to tell the story it needs. If they tried to stretch it out into a feature film, it would have seriously lost the plot and dragged. As it stands, it is a wonderful little watch to take a break to with a cup of hot beverage and family of all ages.

The cast is minimal, as it should be, with Ben Radcliffe in the lead role. I don’t know much about this newcomer, except is going to be next year’s miniseries Masters of the Air. That’s a plus! The big supporting roles are by John Travolta and Steven Mackintosh.

Travolta’s character is the title role, and it is nice to see a movie recognizing some very important pilots known as Shepherds in World War II. These pilots flew out again and again to fly squadrons in distress back to safety. They were heroes, and many men who returned home from war have them to thank.

If you haven’t heard of the story, and don’t want big spoilers, then skip the trailer. But, check out the short if you can. It isn’t the next great war movie by any means, but is a brief and beautiful way to get into the Christmas spirit and remember those in the military — then and now — who might not make it home to celebrate with their own families.