No, not inquiries about sheep difficulties. The sheep themselves are the detectives. And, very enjoyably so.
Shepherd George, living in a caravan outside a typical Miss Marple English village, reads detective stories to his sheep. Leader, Lily, usually solves the mystery while others always think it is the maid! They are an interesting flock, a range of different characters, some woolly eyes, some awkward, the aristocratic ram, two rams who like to butt themselves and vehicles, and an aloof leader, Sebastian, whom George has rescued from being the target of dogfights in a carnival. They speak, a range of star voices, varied personalities, some frisky young lambs, enjoying life, devoted to George.
George is genial – he is played by Hugh Jackman. And, then he is murdered.
The local policeman is a bit dim-witted, Nicolas Braun from Succession, but an eager young visitor, journalist, Nicholas Galitzine, ever-ready to help him. And there is the imperious lawyer who comes to read the will, Emma Thompson. Then George’s daughter from the US also turns up, Molly Gordon.
Of course, the sheep are determined to find out who killed George.
The enjoyment of the screenplay relies on the murder mystery, Agatha Christie-style scenario, the listing of suspects, presence, opportunity, profit from the murder. Lily takes charge, clues are found, and she finds all kinds of ways of trying to communicate with the policeman while unable to speak to him.
It is all very entertaining, the suspects, the local butcher, another Shepherd, hotel keeper, local vicar, all with motivations. But, eventually Lily works it out, finds ways of communicating with the policeman, mystery solved! There are enough clues for audiences to work out who the murderer is – but probably a good enough mystery not to work out the actual identity of the murderer!
The sheep realise that they are often considered woolly-headed. This is a film to vindicate the sheep and their abilities, and a nice underlying moral, that the sheep reject winter sheep because normally they are all born in spring and summer. A little winter lamb is active in Lily’s manoeuvres – and, of course, welcomed finally into the flock.
Who would have thought that the sheep could have been so entertaining?
Currently showing at Palace Cinemas, Balwyn
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