Stardom beckons for Santa’s helpers.
Reindeer from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, located in the heart of Staffordshire, are set to become stars of the big screen this Christmas as they feature in the new British film, Get Santa, which is due for release on 5th December.
The reindeer, who are part of England’s largest reindeer herd, worked on the film for several months earlier this year during which they ran across London, went shopping on Carnaby Street and walked through the centre of Harrogate in disguise.
Seven reindeer from the herd featured in the film, with seven more being on standby as doubles. Seven year old Combo has the lead reindeer role as Dasher and was required to run across Millennium Bridge in London for one of the scenes. One of the younger reindeer, George, has a key moment in the film too, breaking wind as a way of communicating.
Get Santa boasts a cast of stellar British talent includingJim Broadbent (Harry Potter film series) as Santa, Rafe Spall (Prometheus, I Give It a Year), Warwick Davis (Harry Potter film series, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi), Jodie Whittaker (Attack The Block, Venus), Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting, Black Hawk Down) and newcomer Kit Connor (Rocket’s Island).
This heart-warming and funny family adventure is about a father and son reconnecting to discover the magic of Christmas. It’s days before Christmas and reindeer are found running loose through the streets of London. Meanwhile an astonished nine year-old Tom (newcomer Kit Connor) discovers Santain the garden shed. He has crash-landed while test-driving his new sleigh and enlists Tom and his father Steve (Rafe Spall) to help him get back to Lapland. But what happens when Santa is arrested and thrown into prison? Will Steve and Tom be able to break him out in time for Christmas?
Stephen Swinnerton, Owner of Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, said “Although our herd have worked on film and TV programmes previously, this is the first time our reindeer have been used as characters in a film. We all loved working on Get Santa which boasts an amazing cast and crew, and are thrilled that our reindeer were able to help bring this magical story to life”.
Members of the public can see the Blithbury reindeer in Get Santa from Friday 5th December when the film goes on general release across the UK. They can also visit them during November and December at Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, where Dasher has a specially created Get Santa home for the winter.
