User reviews

Few movies inhabit the world of childhood quite as authentically as "Prancer." Until the very last moments, it doesn't matter whether young Jessica's belief that she has found one of Santa's reindeer is literally true. The fact that she could believe such a thing so strongly, and selflessly act on her belief to help the lost reindeer, is compelling enough on its own. Children occupy a world where naive clarity mingles with a confusing knowledge of how much of adult life remains unknown. "Prancer" creates an atmosphere that lets adults dip back into that almost-forgotten way of experiencing the world.

Sam Elliott delivers a fantastic performance as Jessica's father, a farmer who has recently lost his wife and will soon probably lose his farm. He is on the verge of losing his family, and the father-daughter relationship at the heart of the movie feels unaffectedly real. Cloris Leachman's turn as an embittered neighbor deserves note as well.

The film's greatest flaws occur in its last two minutes. First, a critical continuity error shows that the reindeer has shed a jingle-bell harness just before the sound of the harness is supposed to indicate the animal's presence. Finally, at the very end, the movie shatters its ambiguity about the literal truth of the reindeer's identity. In doing so, it negates the foundation of the story's authenticity and dramatic power, and trivializes the final reconciliation between Jessica and her father. If the reindeer is not a supernatural being, then Jessica is a silly little girl and the audience has been had. But if the reindeer is a magical beast from Santa's stable, then it is not a leap of faith for Jessica's father to accept her improbable belief in the animal. By revealing the answer one way or the other, "Prancer" cheapens itself and significantly undermines the emotional power of an otherwise subtle and moving drama.

We didn't always have cable when I was a kid, so I watched the VHS tapes we had a ridiculous number of times. One of those tapes was a copy of 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' purchased from a local video store and that tape had a trailer for this 'Prancer' movie. I was always sort of idly curious about it but never got around to watching it until some 30 years later.

I watched this with my girlfriend so some of the more interesting stray observations may be ones from her. For instance, she was surprised and almost fascinated by how much freedom Jessica had. I had to explain that in small rural towns in those days, the grownups basically didn't want to know about us until dinner time so you were pretty much free to explore around town or go through the woods.

Speaking of the woods, I took note of the bit when her dad started to tell her something like, "I told you to not go into the woods" and I started to think maybe it wasn't depicting childhood exploratory freedom quite the same way I remembered it but he quickly continued and qualified it, "this time of year. A hunter will shoot you."

Hey also I wanted to say some things about the supporting cast. I caught Abe Vigoda and Cloris Leachman's names from the opening credits, but I was only vaguely aware of Cloris Leachman - I think just from the Comedy Central Roast of Norm MacDonald in which he says, "Cloris, if people say you're over the hill, don't believe them. Why, you'll never be over the hill, not in the car you drive." which I guess doesn't much have anything to do with this movie but I liked seeing her show up based on the idea I had seen her from that. It seems like she's probably done something better and more important to get famous in the first place though but I guess she hasn't really showed up on my radar so much.

And then there were a couple of other moments where we were like "where have we seen this girl before?" in reference to Jessica's friend - who was giving her a hard time about her belief in Santa at the ripe old age of 9 - and we figured it out in the same shot "that's the girl from Jurassic Park!" and then some kid who ended up being David in 'Roseanne' was similarly spotted. And then when her dad showed up I was like, "hey it's that guy in the BIg Lebowski." The point being, we had a lot of fun recognizing people we didn't expect to see.

The movie is more or less realistic in its time and place. It is not a comedy like some of my other favorite Christmas movies - 'Home Alone' and 'Christmas Story' - for example, but I tremendously enjoyed spending some time in that setting and type of community.

The message, as near as I can figure, isn't so much that adults need to wise up and believe in childish things again, but more like it is easy to let practical concerns of life get in the way of other things that matter such as family and getting through things together.

Jessica's mom had apparently passed away and her dad feels like maybe she'd be better off living with her aunt who can provide things he can't and provide a mother figure for her. To his credit, he does try explaining to Jessica that this is what families do - they help each other out when they need it. He's clearly the type of guy that just wants to be concerned with practical concerns - getting through the day and surviving - but is self aware enough to recognize that he isn't doing so well at anything else.

He's not a bad guy, and wasn't doing anything wrong per se, but in the end he had to grow in ways he wasn't expecting in order to best deal with the situation. Rather than relying on others to fill in the hole left behind by the absence of Jessica's mother, he has to step up and try to be twice the parent because that's what his kids need from him and that's the right thing to do.

Oh and I guess there was a Reindeer and this movie really really really liked showing closeups of its eye for some reason.

Prancer is one of those special movies that come along every once in a great while that truly touches your heart. It doesn't rely on gimmicks or special effects, but relies on the characters themselves. Jesse, the central character in the story, finds an injured reindeer near her home, and believes it to be Prancer. And she nurses the reindeer back to health in order to deliver him back to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The true meaning of the movie is said by the preacher in the church during the Christmas service. Today's kids grow up so fast, and loose the child-like faith that Jesse has in a few short years. They then don't believe in anything that science doesn't prove. But Jesse, against impossible odds, sticks to her beliefs, and in the end brings back the faith of those who lost theirs long ago. Prancer is one of those holiday movies to buy for both your kids and yourself.

An American-Canadian fantasy drama; A story about a nine-year-old who still believes in Santa Claus and one day she finds an injured reindeer in the woods. The performance by Rebecca Harrell is touching, poignant and simply enchanting, with Sam Elliott as good as ever as her forlorn and down-on-his-luck father. It's a sincere and endearing film. It is quite slow moving as a family film with a laborious build up but Rebecca Harrell's character, her mischief, her expressions and natural ability seems to soar beyond the screen as the heroine. There are some oddities in the film, an out of kilter reclusive Dickensesque character played by Cloris Leachman, but it's a minor Christmas classic for the sentiment of seasonal magic it successfully delivers for its audience.

Some occasionally clumsy dialogue only mildly undercuts the virtues of Greg Taylor's thoughtful script, which provides a surprisingly realistic depiction of the joys and heartaches of simple lives at Christmastime.

Rebecca Harrell is superb as 9-year-old Jessica, who finds an injured reindeer in the woods near her Michigan farm and determines to nurse it back to health in time to help pull Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. She's a marvelously realized character, refreshingly minus the cute kid mannerisms of many a Hollywood acting tyke. I particularly liked the way she deflected her father's tirades with her singlemindedness of purpose: he might get mad at her, but she was still going to do what she had to do. Very childlike, and very real.

A subplot about Jessica's helping a reclusive, eccentric neighbor (played by Cloris Leachman in a virtual cameo) seems truncated and unnecessary, but for the most part Taylor's scenario sticks to the basics and is better for it. Characters surrounding Jessica act like real people, not stereotypes, and events transpire with a sense of realism, not melodrama.

Credit for this tale's effectiveness also goes to Sam Elliott, who plays Jessica's father, a recent widower, with a harsh demeanor that seems to mask real pain and desperation. Thus his rapprochement with his wayward daughter carries unexpected depth of feeling and could not fail to move all but the most cynical. For a dad like me, I admit it put a big lump in my throat.

Despite a somewhat flawed climax -- to my mind, the vfx shot of Santa's sleigh coursing across the sky is unnecessary, given the magic moment just prior to it that reveals reindeer hoofprints leading to a precipice -- this nice little holiday film delivers a timeless message about faith and selflessness. Recommended for mature kids of 8 or older.

Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell Tickell) still believes in Santa Claus. Her bitter widow father John Riggs (Sam Elliott) is raising her and her brother on their failing farm. She finds an injured reindeer and assumes it to be Prancer. Carol Wetherby (Ariana Richards) is her best friend. Mrs. McFarland (Cloris Leachman) is her angry neighbor.

I love the idea of this premise. It has an interesting indie vibe despite the over-abundance of veteran actors. The little girl is an endearing newcomer in her debut. There is a freshness and conviction to her performance. The ending runs on a little long. I really want her to finish off the story that night. I thought there was a ticking clock that ends right there. Despite that, I really like a couple of ideas during that ending section.

I tried to like this film. So much so that after watching it 20+ years ago and not liking it, I tried it again today. Unfortunately I came to the same conclusion. And I really do love a good Christmas movie...but this is not it for me.

Sam Elliott is always great, as is Cloris Leachman, who was grossly underused in this film.

The beginning of the film has a classroom full of kids singing. You hear one loud, gratingly annoying voice in the crowd...this is your child heroine of the whole film, and this scene sets the tone for her throughout. Possibly the most annoying child character I have ever run across in all of film. She's loud, interrupts people, doesn't get out of the way of oncoming cars, hardly ever does what her Dad says, has an attention span of about 2 seconds and is not the sharpest tack in the box. Her character is incredibly hard to like.

It's unfortunate, because this really did have potential, and I suppose it was played as it was written. Had the little girl been more endearing and less "fingernails on a chalkboard", it would have been a much better movie.

It felt like Prancer was tentatively grateful for her help, but couldn't wait to get out of there, and I couldn't blame him.

Like it or not, I do always attempt to give an honest and thoughtful review, so if this earns a downvote, it is nothing but a difference of opinion.

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.

"Prancer" was a film my 3rd grade teacher put on for the class before Christmas Break. We were only able to get through the first 20 minutes of the movie, and we didn't ever finish the film. It says something, that 25 years later, I was still curious enough to see how the film ended. It was by no means a pressing concern, but it was satisfactory to finally finish it.

This film is sort of like "Miracle on 34th Street", but instead of proving that it's Santa, it's about proving the reindeer is Prancer. Combine that with Cloris Leachman playing the old man Marley from Home Alone type character. Speaking of, this film has a crazy cast. There are 2 Oscar Nominees and an Oscar Winner in the cast.

Something interesting about the film is the dynamic they demonstrate between the mother, father and aunt. The father, played by Sam Elliot, is seen as very cold and terse with his daughter, Jessica. The aunt, on the other hand, shows nothing but kindness to Jessica. But throughout the film, Jessica is adamant that she wants to live with her dad and not her aunt. I actually give this film a lot of credit for not villainizing the aunt. For the most part this is a film without a villain, and I don't think it needs one.

The movie is very sweet, but sometimes too cheesy even for me. The acting, even by the kids, is great. Some of the "kid logic" of the movie is frustrating, but without it I guess the story wouldn't have happened.

Now I want 7 movie sequels following adventures of the other reindeer. Come on Hallmark, you got nothing better to do.

As I sat through the first hour of the almost agonizing slow-paced plot-roll-out, I stayed with it in the hopes there would be some reward for my loyalty. It was not to be. This movie has a lot of fans in its reviews, but I'm not one of them.

The cast is full of past, present, and future stars; at least two of the supporting child actors went on to be in huge hits in television and/or movies. Their acting talent shows this movie, as it does with the adults. Unfortunately, a predictable story line, unresolved conflicts, and underdeveloped subplots do nothing to justify the time it takes to get things rolling.

Sam Elliot does what he does well, playing a hard-working but broken farmer and widower whose only response to his daughter caring for a wounded reindeer in their midst is to find his shotgun. Rebecca Harrell plays a convincing 9-year old who seems to be frustrated at every turn for her good deeds.

The winter setting is dim, cold and desolate, excellently communicated through the cinematography.The music lacks imagination, primarily depending on long chords. Maybe that is a plus for the gloomy atmosphere.

If you are looking for fun and adventure in your holiday movie fare, skip this one. It's better for drawn-out drama fans.

To me the movie captures the "love" that is so much apart of the reason we celebrate Christmas. It makes me laugh and cry. How great is that!

This film proves that there are still unspoiled hearts left on Planet Earth. Those who find it sappy or irrelevant have spent too much time wearing Grinch suits and need a good dose of humanity to thaw that hard matter in their chests that passes for a heart.

The child actors are the heart of _Prancer_. They are real, never overacting or coming off as children playing at making a film. Sam Elliot is the epitome of the overstressed, depressed man who has lost his wife and despairs of losing everything else too. His transformation is believable and worthy of the time spent to watch his character unfold. Cloris Leachman is a delight as the female Scrooge who is touched by two children--Jessica who reintroduces her to the joy of Christmas, and a little boy in church who reintroduces her to the joy of human fellowship.

Above all, this is a story of transition. The earnest child must move forward to knowledge, and the jaded grownup must move back to mystery and faith. If your Christmas is too much take and not enough give, I prescribe hot chocolate, hot buttered popcorn, and a viewing of Prancer with people you love. Better yet, do as we have and make this movie part of your personal holiday tradition. It might help make you a better person the rest of the year.

This is a kids' movie. It has a nice cast, but overall the story was certainly not something I'd watch again, or recommend to anyone unless they have a little kids.

The film starts off a little slow, and then picks up with some nice photography and an interesting angle about an injured reindeer being rescued. However, it bogs down again and gets annoying as the young girl, "Jessica Riggs" (Rebecca Harrell) whines or is in tears half the time as she tries to save "Prancer," (one of Santa's reindeer) from being discovered by her father. She and her father argue all the time, until the end.

Little girls would like this film, but not many other people. The ending is too hokey, too.

With all of the hype that surrounds the many Christmas releases and remakes, here's an original that all of the family should see. It is sweet yet real. It restores hope and decency to movies.

We've rented it before, now we own it. After "A Christmas Story" and the Alistaire Sim version of "A Christmas Carol", this is the Christmas movie our family MUST watch every year.

While not without a couple of problems [like pacing], PRANCER is one of the better family/holiday movies I've seen. I didn't see this until after I saw PRANCER RETURNS about a week ago on cable. After PRANCER RETURNS [the sequel to this] was over, I went to the video store and rented this. Now while this one seemed to have a lower budget than PRANCER RETURNS, it still is just as well-acted and heartwarming [if not even more so]. Most holiday movies tend to show the holidays as times where everything is perfect, but this one shows that the holidays aren't as perfect as we'd like them to be. It's able to capture the ups and downs of the holidays while keeping everything pretty close to reality. Though I really enjoyed the film, CHRISTMAS VACATION remains to be my favorite holiday flick.

Terrible movie! I wanted to rip my eyes out after watching this movie. Also the stupid theme song reminded me of the grandma singing. I would not recommend this movie to my worst enemy. It should be use in Guantanamo bay to toucher the prisoners.

10/10 would not recommend.

I am happy to see that over the years "Prancer" has gained the audience it truly deserves. I saw this in the theater when it first came out. I don't think many other people did. I don't remember it being that big of a hit. Maybe a lot of families went to see it, I don't know. But now it's on t.v. more and more often each year. That's great. Sam Elliott is great but this is Rebecca Harrell's movie. She should have been nominated for an Academy Award. In the theater by the end of "Prancer" I'm was a weepy mess. Over all these years that hasn't changed a bit. One of the greatest Christmas movies ever made.

Prancer is a maudlin festive movie about a little girl who recently lost her mother.

When Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell) finds an injured reindeer, she thinks it could be an extra special Christmas after a difficult year.

Jessica thinks that the reindeer is Prancer and once nursed back to health. Santa will come looking for it.

Only her curmudgeonly father John (Sam Elliott) a poor farmer and now struggling parent as no time for his daughter and the reindeer.

He threatens to shoot the reindeer and later sells it to the town butcher. Luckily the butcher has no plans to send Prancer to the mincer.

More realistic and less saccharine. Most of the adults are grumpy. Only the kids believe that this reindeer could fly.

It is slow and heavy going. The kids will be bored and the adults could not care less. They certainly do not make them like this anymore.

"Prancer" is about a young girl, Jessica Riggs, who unexpectedly finds a wounded reindeer, whom she believes belongs to Santa. With her father under financial pressure, and who ignores her a lot, she has a tough time. She wants to look after it and nurse it, but has to do it secretly since her father is against it and could kill it at any moment. She often have minor fights and arguments with her father regarding family matters and her own life. Meanwhile, her duty, she feels is to take good care of Prancer.

Jessica Riggs's role was played by Rebecca Harrell, and she must have been the perfect young child to do the role. Her natural, childlike attitude couldn't have got any better, and that was seen in the movie.

I still remember myself crying a bit while watching it as a child. It still brings tears in my eyes while watching even today. I advise those who wish to watch this movie watch it by around Christmas, and that would be the right time....And believe me, you won't be disappointed.