For many years I have listened to the CBC's Alan Maitland recite the original story on Christmas Eve to his Canadian radio audience, providing distinctive voices and emotions to each character. I find this version quite subdued in comparison, so it doesn't ring as true for me. I was disappointed that the memory of the emergency procedure training of Flight Sergent Norris was dropped from this version. Also, I was initially disappointed that they had combined Flight Lieutenant Marks and Joe into one character, but the surprise twist at the end of this version justified the need for this alteration and warmed me somewhat to it. I will always prefer the radio version, but this rendition does hold its own. I am also completely chuffed that Johnny Kavanagh is now Canadian rather than Irish. And, yeah, the beard was a mistake that never would have been tolerated in the wartime RAF.
Review of The Shepherd
