From December 1st until Christmas Eve, here on the LAMB, we’ll be determining what is the BEST Christmas movie of all time. We’ve asked you all which films are the main contenders, and twenty-four of you replied with your choices, which will bauble battle it out for seasonal supremacy. It’s a head-to-head, single elimination tournament, so whichever film wins today moves onto the next round. However, here is not the only place to vote. No, head to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see the same poll there, and it’ll be the total of all four results that determines the winner. Before we get to today’s poll, let’s look at yesterday’s results. The Polar Express battled against Arthur Christmas in a far closer and more heated competition than I expected. The Polar Express took it on Facebook, but Arthur Christmas won everywhere else, so here are the final scores:

Final results

Today’s tinsel tussle is the second in the Mythology group, Prancer vs Elf, and will close in just 24 hours:

Prancer vs Elf

Prancer, championed by Heather Baxendale from the MILFcast

The film I selected is the lesser known and underappreciated Prancer. It was released in 1989 when I was only a wee girl of 8 years old and touched my heart indefinitely. The premise isn’t a cheery fun or wacky crazy magical adventure. It features a young girl who has recently lost her mother and the family struggling to carry on. In a bitter Midwest winter she finds a wounded reindeer she believes is the infamous “Prancer”. She secretly nurses it back to health in a small shed on her father’s farm. She is fuelled by the hope that she can bring it back to health in time for Christmas.

I think the reason people pass on this film often is because it really does hit those “feels” spots, but that’s why it resonates with me. What really grounds the film is the heartfelt performances by Rebecca Harrell Tickell who plays Jessica, the little girl and Sam Elliot who plays her grief stricken father. The relationships between the family, the struggle of a great loss all under the burden of a harsh winter really does give the tale a sense of tragedy, but Jessica’s urgent and constant belief in something more gives a sense of childhood hope that age and cynicism can crush.

When I watch this movie I still believe in Prancer, Santa and magic. I still believe in hope and I definitely still believe in Sam Elliot and his moustache. This is a beautiful family movie that shouldn’t be skipped over for the more obvious holiday choices. Embrace your inner child and believe again.

Elf, championed by Kellee Pratt from Outspoken and Freckled

In Jon Favreau’s Elf, starring Will Farrell as Buddy the elf, this film remains an instant Christmas classic for all ages. With humor as ample as heart, it’s a perfect mix of fun performances, an iconic soundtrack, and nostalgic twists on beloved plots and characters inspired from a variety of Christmas specials such as the misfits from the 1964 stop-motion TV classic, Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Quotes such as “Son of a nutcracker!” and “smiling is my favorite!” bring holiday joy as much as Zooey Deschanel’s version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” With the perfect trimmings of optimism (the only syrupy sweetness pours on Buddy’s special spaghetti), it avoids being overly corny- just the right amount of holiday cheer!

Which is the better Christmas movie?

Tags: Elf, MILFcast, Outspoken and Freckled, Prancer