Rating: 
Summary: wonderful family choice for the holidays
Review: "Prancer is one of the sweetest holiday movies I have ever seen, and also one of my favorites. It is very sensitive and captures those precious and heartwarming aspects of Christmas that make a good holiday film. I remember watching this with my mom when I was younger, and we still like to pull it out during the Christmas season; it will always be special to us.The story is simple yet enchanting: a gruff, headstrong, and somewhat distant single father is trying to keep up his declining farm as he struggles to raise his two young children. His 8-year-old daughter Jessica, the evident strength of the family, is a lonely yet faithful little girl trying to cope with her mother's death while doing her best to keep the spirit alive for the approaching holiday season. When she finds an injured reindeer in the forest, she clings to the idea that it is Santa's "Prancer," and she takes it upon herself to bring him home and nurse him back to health so that Santa can come for him on Christmas Eve. Prancer becomes a friend and a source of comfort as Jessica struggles to make believers out of her family and friends; however, when Jessica is injured herself and loses much of her faith in Prancer, it is the people around her who must convince her to once again believe in the magic of Christmas. The storyline is beautiful, and the acting is strong. Little Rebecca Harrell is perhaps one of the most endearing child actresses I have seen in any film. Her personality and strength of character with the role of Jessica in this movie is different than what you typically see; she will melt your heart and warm your soul. Sam Elliott is also very consistent and good in his very complex and difficult role as Jessica's father, a seemingly hard man with a special softness deep inside that only his spirited little daughter can bring out. The other actors and actresses help hold the movie together and make it the endearing family film that it is. This is truly a very special holiday film that the WHOLE family can watch together and enjoy, and I recommend it for the upcoming holiday season!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent family holiday film!
Review: "Prancer" is the story of young Jessica (Rebecca Harrell) who truly believes in heaven and in Santa Claus. After a wooden reindeer falls from above the street after Santa's wooden sleigh and wooden reindeer are hung above the street, the reindeer is Prancer. There is a gap where Prancer used to be. Jessica later finds a reindeer in the woods, and she realizes it is the real Prancer. She tries to nurse it back to health after he's injured despite what her father (Sam Elliot) thinks. Later the whole town hears about it. After she's involved in an accident while trying to free Prancer after being put into captivity when her father sells him, the whole townspeople from the gruff veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), to a lonely aging bright red-haired neighbor (Cloris Leachman) give a party for her. Her father understands then, and they take Prancer up to Antler Ridge for Santa to come and get him. This is a perfect film for everyone to enjoy around the holidays.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ending Kept It From Being 5 Stars
Review: 12/19/03 Purchased this VHS recently from a supermarket which carries "archival videos" at discount. I found the story entriguing ,mainly because of the strong thread around the "hope" that the little girl(Jesse) with the help of her brother(Steve) and her dad was going to evolve away from the more agressive behaviour that she'd picked up in this household (of "boys and men") excluding herself and the aunt who lived 30 miles away from this struggling farm,who came ongoingly to help them who wanted to take her to live with her husband and herself away to the better environment for a little girl.By the end of the movie you're starting to be concerned for the Reindeer,that missed her father's bullets early in the movie ,not as a "deer hunter" but as "a mercy killer" since the deer's leg was wounded (named Prancer),she does odd jobs for ecentric neighbor(played by Cloris Leachman)to get Oat money for the reindeer,gives the dept. store Santa a letter to give to "the real Santa" to inform him that she's got "Prancer" safely stodded away";unfortunately the letter exposes to all the whereabouts of the Reindeer and just when things are looking"good"(for the Reindeer)[ her dad gets paid $200 for the Reindeer to promote the Xmas Tree business], alas they give the "tree merchant" his money back,take the reindeer out of the Xmas trees merchant's safe environment to take him back to "the Antler Ridge" which is usually used for "deer hunting" and let his little hoof prints imprint that "blizzard of a snow storm" up to a cliff as she(Jesse) then wonders did he survive a fall over the cliff..the last seen is a cameo of "the Santa & his reindeer fleet" flying across the sky with a full moon in the background.Besides the movie "All My To Give"(about a group of kids whose mother dies and the oldest kid has the task to give the kids to various families whom he thinks are best for raising his brothers and sisters):made sadder with a chained melody of flute music in the background ,this movie "Prancer" was one of the "most thought provoking "children's movies" I've seen through the years.
Rating:
Summary: The Ending Kept It From Being 5 Stars
Review: 12/19/03 Purchased this VHS recently from a supermarket which carries "archival videos" at discount. I found the story entriguing ,mainly because of the strong thread around the "hope" that the little girl(Jesse) with the help of her brother(Steve) and her dad was going to evolve away from the more agressive behaviour that she'd picked up in this household (of "boys and men") excluding herself and the aunt who lived 30 miles away from this struggling farm,who came ongoingly to help them who wanted to take her to live with her husband and herself away to the better environment for a little girl.By the end of the movie you're starting to be concerned for the Reindeer,that missed her father's bullets early in the movie ,not as a "deer hunter" but as "a mercy killer" since the deer's leg was wounded (named Prancer),she does odd jobs for ecentric neighbor(played by Cloris Leachman)to get Oat money for the reindeer,gives the dept. store Santa a letter to give to "the real Santa" to inform him that she's got "Prancer" safely stodded away";unfortunately the letter exposes to all the whereabouts of the Reindeer and just when things are looking"good"(for the Reindeer)[ her dad gets paid $200 for the Reindeer to promote the Xmas Tree business], alas they give the "tree merchant" his money back,take the reindeer out of the Xmas trees merchant's safe environment to take him back to "the Antler Ridge" which is usually used for "deer hunting" and let his little hoof prints imprint that "blizzard of a snow storm" up to a cliff as she(Jesse) then wonders did he survive a fall over the cliff..the last seen is a cameo of "the Santa & his reindeer fleet" flying across the sky with a full moon in the background.Besides the movie "All My To Give"(about a group of kids whose mother dies and the oldest kid has the task to give the kids to various families whom he thinks are best for raising his brothers and sisters):made sadder with a chained melody of flute music in the background ,this movie "Prancer" was one of the "most thought provoking "children's movies" I've seen through the years.
Rating:
Summary: Magical and Touching!
Review: A Modern Classic! This film gets better every year I watch it. Sam Elliot is great for this role and plays it perfectly. The charming little girl who plays the starring role is perfect. She's a nice change from the "picture perfect" little angels Hollywood normally reserves for childrens films. She's beautifully normal looking and is a wonderful little actor. A precious film to be watched each Xmas season.
Rating:
Summary: Prancer
Review: A really nice movie for kids and adults during the Christmas season. This isn't a Hollywood blockbuster like Cat in the Hat , etc. The only extra on this DVD is the movie trailer. There also wasn't any reading material included. But the movie is so well made you won't miss any of the usual bells and whistles. The quality of both sound and picture are up to what DVD viewers have come to expect.
I'm pleased with this purchase. It has good entertainment value for everyone in my family.
John Row
Rating:
Summary: E.T. Who? Prancer Is Far Better.
Review: Actually, I give this movie 4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed "E.T." as a child, but as an adult I find it slow. This movie follows the same pattern and improves on it. (An innocent child is having a difficult life; a child hood fantasy intervenes; the child's dedication to their childhood fantasy influences the people around them for the better.) The scenery is gorgeous, and the music (without a lot of effects) is perfect. Sam Elliott performs his role to perfection. While he seems harsh and stern, his behavior is understandable. We can see that he deeply misses his wife, and that he is struggling to support his children. The scene where Jessica spends time with her mother's picture is short but well done. It is interesting how Jessica is able to link her faith in heaven with her belief in Santa. Also notable is the fact that even though the people in town probably do not believe (at first anyway) that the reindeer is Santa's, they are deeply moved by Jessica's dedication to it. One deeply moving scene is when Jessica is desperate to make money to feed Prancer. Her fear of Cloris Leachman has already been established, and she dares another meeting to Cloris when she becomes desperate for the reindeer's well being. It is also moving that we get to know Cloris, and she too is moved by Jessica to the point that she reenters society. The ending where the reindeer's role reconciles Jessica and her father is infinitely touching. (In "E.T." too much of the plot revolves around E.T.'s role as an alien. In this movie the situation between Jessica and the people around her is more emphasized. The reindeer accomplishes his purpose without stealing the movie. Even when we find out that the reindeer really is Prancer, the scene is done short and exquisitely. We see Santa's sleigh fly by, and the plot returns to Jessica and her father.) My only complaint about this movie is that Cloris Leachman could have been explained more. The author would have done good to tell us (even if only briefly) why she lives the way she does. If the author had done this, I would have considered this an exquisite masterpiece. This is probably one of the best Christmas movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: E.T. Who? Prancer Is Far Better.
Review: Actually, I give this movie 4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed "E.T." as a child, but as an adult I find it slow. This movie follows the same pattern and improves on it. (An innocent child is having a difficult life; a child hood fantasy intervenes; the child's dedication to their childhood fantasy influences the people around them for the better.) The scenery is gorgeous, and the music (without a lot of effects) is perfect. Sam Elliott performs his role to perfection. While he seems harsh and stern, his behavior is understandable. We can see that he deeply misses his wife, and that he is struggling to support his children. The scene where Jessica spends time with her mother's picture is short but well done. It is interesting how Jessica is able to link her faith in heaven with her belief in Santa. Also notable is the fact that even though the people in town probably do not believe (at first anyway) that the reindeer is Santa's, they are deeply moved by Jessica's dedication to it. One deeply moving scene is when Jessica is desperate to make money to feed Prancer. Her fear of Cloris Leachman has already been established, and she dares another meeting to Cloris when she becomes desperate for the reindeer's well being. It is also moving that we get to know Cloris, and she too is moved by Jessica to the point that she reenters society. The ending where the reindeer's role reconciles Jessica and her father is infinitely touching. (In "E.T." too much of the plot revolves around E.T.'s role as an alien. In this movie the situation between Jessica and the people around her is more emphasized. The reindeer accomplishes his purpose without stealing the movie. Even when we find out that the reindeer really is Prancer, the scene is done short and exquisitely. We see Santa's sleigh fly by, and the plot returns to Jessica and her father.) My only complaint about this movie is that Cloris Leachman could have been explained more. The author would have done good to tell us (even if only briefly) why she lives the way she does. If the author had done this, I would have considered this an exquisite masterpiece. This is probably one of the best Christmas movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Prancer
Review: After watching Prancer, I wanted to live there at the orchard in Indiana. John Hancock directed a beautifully written story about a little girl with strength and determination. A story that all children should watch, young and old. Keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts and watch those with an icy heart melt....like Sam Elliot. John Hancock should make more movies at his orchard in Indiana, he is a talented and wonderful person. Keep your eyes open for another masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: What Christmas is Really About!
Review: Charming movie about a struggling motherless family on a farm in Michigan. Despite their tragedies, traumas, and lack of money, the little girl finds the true meaning of Christmas, and is the glue that holds the family together.
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