Prancer (1989)

69% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(8,066 ratings)

If you know the Clement Clark Moore poem, you'll know that Prancer is one of Santa Claus' "eight tiny reindeer." When 9-year-old Rebecca Harrell, who still believes in Santa despite the remonstrations of her parents and the taunts of her peers, stumbles across the selfsame Prancer in a remote part… More If you know the Clement Clark Moore poem, you'll know that Prancer is one of Santa Claus' "eight tiny reindeer." When 9-year-old Rebecca Harrell, who still believes in Santa despite the remonstrations of her parents and the taunts of her peers, stumbles across the selfsame Prancer in a remote part of the forest, no one will believe the girl. Later on, Harrell's no-nonsense father Sam Elliot comes across a wounded reindeer, he feels it his duty to put the suffering animal out of his misery. The deer, of course, is Prancer, and it magically vanishes before Elliot's startled eyes. Harrell nurses the deer back to health in secret, with the help of kindly doctor Abe Vigoda and her troublesome older brother John Joseph Duda. Harrell is determined to contact Santa and let him know where Prancer is, but her efforts only result in public humiliation for her father. But this is a Christmas film, and the spirit of goodwill is contagious by fadeout time, even transforming town-recluse Cloris Leachman into a warm-hearted social animal. Filmed in Indiana, Prancer isn't quite a classic, but it's perfect midwinter videocassette entertainment. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: John D. Hancock
Written By: Greg Taylor
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Nov 17, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Oct 2, 2001
Studio: Nelson Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Caryn James, New York Times
Its plodding competence can't provide that effortless magical touch that Christmas classics are made of.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Harrell's brash debut, the use of animism and the story's sincerity add interest.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Smaller kids will identify with Jessica's fierce resolve to get Prancer back into action, and older viewers will appreciate the fact that the movie takes place in an approximation of the real world.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Forgettable Christmas movie featuring Sam Elliott.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Prancer deserves to join the select ranks of those Christmas movies we return to again and again.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Harmless, pleasant Xmas-themed family fare.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...worth a look around the holidays.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Off the beaten track.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
An oddly dark, moving holiday film.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not nearly as bad as you'd think.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
kids and adults will both be pleasantly surprised
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
It's a decent holiday season film, suited to the six-to eight-year-old set.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
The predictable ending could have been improved if it had been less explicit. Then again, a subtle show, this ersatz tearjerker is not.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
For the most part this is an utterly enchanting film that deserves a place in the canon of holiday features that make their way to theaters, video and TV each year at this time.

Read all 14 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Old-fashioned christmas movie.
Chris W

Funny and charming, even if it is a typical Christmas film. Rebecca Harrell and Sam Elliott are wonderful.
Andrew F

Boring. It's sad because this movie had so much potential.
Isaac H

A touching family film. A good movie to watch on Christmas Eve! Not amazing, but worth seeing!

Cast

            Sam Elliott as John Riggs

            Rebecca Harrell as Jessica Riggs

            Cloris Leachman as Mrs. McFarland

            Rutanya Alda as Aunt Sarah

            Abe Vigoda as Dr. Orel Benton Veterinarian

            Michael Constantine as Mr. Stewart/Santa

            Ariana Richards as Carol Wetherby

            Frank Welker as Prancer

            Boo the Reindeer as Prancer

            Jesse Bradford as Boy

            Walter Charles as Minister

            John Duda as Steve Riggs

            Johnny Galecki as Billy Quinn

            Mark Rolston as Herb Drier

            Victor Truro as Mr. Young

            Loren Janes as Mr. Soot

            Dan Atherton as Town Man

            Dale Balsbaugh as Mr. Wood

            Belinda Bremner as Miss Bedelia

            Terry Jayjack as Mrs. Wetherby

            Joseph Morano as Boy with Santa

            Sandra Olson as Town Woman

            Marcia Porter as Mrs. Fairburn

            Steven Pressler as Hank

            Eric Sardeson as Boy

            Shirley Starnes as Mrs. Hofsetter

            Michael Luciano as Bert

            Bethany Richards as (uncredited)
See full cast