Il bambino, la talpa, la volpe e il cavallo

In a world that is often dark, Charlie Mackesy's words and illustrations of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, have served as moments of light. Beautiful in themselves, but more than that - they shine that light within ourselves to remember the good, the gentle, and the strength in kindness in our own lives and the world around us. The four much-loved characters stepped out of Charlie's imagination and into the world on Instagram, before finding a permanent home the best-selling book released in 2019. The TV adaptation, released on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Eve - and worldwide on Apple TV+ on Christmas Day - brings the friends to life. It's 35 minutes of exquisite, peaceful light, born to become a modern Christmas classic. "I'm lost," says the Boy, voiced in heartbreaking gentleness by Jude Coward Nichol. Two words that will have resonated with many at some stage in this post-pandemic weary world. Charlie's drawings touched something within during those dark days of lockdown. Their kindness, humour and hope reached through the page, bringing comfort and connection. Simply put, it's beautiful, whether you enjoy Charlie's drawings and wisdoms as inspiration, comfort, self-reflection, or purely for their charm. It's as if you have stepped into the book itself. Hug your horses extra tight, be kind to yourself, and to quote the Mole, "I'm glad we are all here". While the book has no linear plot, the film needed one. And so Charlie's words and wisdoms have been woven into a script, taking the characters on a journey through a dream-like snowy landscape to find "home", set to a soundtrack by Isobel Waller-Bridge. And that messaging of kindness and gentleness translates gracefully from page to screen. Charlie collaborated with Jon Croker on the adaptation, and is also named as co-director alongside Peter Baynton. That involvement by the author is perhaps behind why the feel is just so close to the book.

A beautiful experience - I nearly cried.

The animation was first class and the dialogue was very moving.

The characters voices were so suited to each other. I would watch this and would re watch this particularly with my grand sons who unfortunately live far far away.

The mole is obsessed with CAKE and is to me just like 'The Wind in the Willows'.

To me this is a faithful rendering of the book and has brought great pleasure in these troubled times. It is good that such joy is brought by the skill of the author and the animators.

I look forward to seeing this again and again in my remaining years.

For me who is a female living in China,the mole refers to eldership because he really moves slowly like an old person. And even if his words imply he is coward,he still acts like a valiant when he rolls across the hill or when he steps into the trap to save the fox.

That's how the chinese elderships live:they bury their sincere heart and always say that they are getting tired of the life. But deeply inside,they are still hoping to enjoy the life just like the youngsters.

The culture in our society dosen't motivate elder one to keep going further. In fact,age discrimination is everywhere. People believe that a person should do particular things in particular age. For example,when you are 22 years old,you should garaduate from college and go get a good job;when you are 30 years old,you should raise a family and you should have at least one child;when you are 35 years old,you should ether be a successful person or a looser waiting to be fired.

And when you are older than 40,on one will expect any thing good on you. You can never change your life or your job at that age,because that costs a huge sacrifice. And even if you want to do that,you may still not succeed,because there is no new place for you in the society,unless you want to do the hard labor job such as cleaning the street.

That invisible chain teriifies people,force them to take a regular role in their life.

As I am getting older in age,I hope I will always remenber this mole,and be brave to be myself.

A young boy searches for home, along the way he encounters a brave and friendly mole, a hungry and ill tempered fox, and a wise horse.

This truly was a beautiful thirty minutes, a real story of hope and optimism, it's a short film that will have a definite appeal to all viewers, young and old, there is truly something for everyone to take away from it. A definite relevance for anyone to take away from it.

It's good fun, it's adventurous, it's truly heart warming, there are many things you can take away from it, I just found it so beautifully moving, so very sweet, just lovely viewing for this time of year. Truly that good, I watched it twice.

The animation fitted perfectly, a simplicity and lack of complication that just worked, as did the soft, accompanying music. The BBC hasn't been shy with promoting it, and the lovely images have accompanied its program introductions.

Great to hear so many instantly recognisable stars, I just loved Tom Hollander's mole.

Every year we get an animated short, this is up there with the best of them, it's absolutely marvellous, 10/10.

Maybe this kind of story is just what we all need on the second to last day of the year - to remind ourselves why we're here and who we truly are.

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse is a sweet, touching story of lost souls who found each other and together they search for home. This little cartoon speaks with quotes almost exclusively and every single phrase and every word that comes out of the mouths of the four characters is something to think about.

Really, what is love? What is home? What is the meaning of it all and what does it take to be a human being? Those are only a handful of questions you'd definitely get answers to by the end of this half hour masterpiece. I know for sure that home is where the heart is, it's not the place, it's not even something material - it's the way you feel and the people around you who make you feel it.

The animation style is uncanny and even though it may not be a perfect 3D computer generated picture it serves the purpose of the movie splendidly - all those shapes and contours don't have to be perfect, they just have to be authentic and real, and that's what matters. The voice actors also have done a great job shaping the characters and making them real for us too.

If you ever ask me, who do I want to become when I grow up (or in my case, grow old) I would certainly answer: kind.