This is an above average family adventure set in the great outdoors where veteran actor Joel McCrea has a great role as the gging cowboy out to capture and tame a wild horse. With his faithful dog and horse as his only companion, he faces a lot of dangers, and a fall into the water has him nearly drowning until the loyal pooch pulls him out. It's amazing to watch this dog physically turn McCrea over and yank him by the caller out of the stream. Along comes young native teen Nika Mina who tends to his injuries and accompanies him on an adventure to try to rope the stallion, something he's been trying to do too for his grandfather.
A camaraderie between the young Mina and the elderly McCrea grows, and after Mina discovers that his grandfather has passed away, he longs to be taken in so he can have a family and share in the bond that has been created. Along the way, they encounter all the wonders of nature, dealing with a vicious grizzly bear who once attacked McCrea's dog. Children will love to see the deer, wild cats, raccoons, otters and other wildlife, although there is a twist involving the dog that is very sad. I didn't like the plot about having McCrea obsessed with catching the horse which just wanted its freedom, but the horse also enjoys playing games and taunting them.
Both McCrea and Mina learn things from each other, and it's a touching relationship that grows in the 80 minute running time. Mina does pretty good with limited acting skills, playing the role with mostly a deadpan speech pattern and rarely smiling, but he is a charming, sweet presence who does show charisma on screen. The Montana location footage is gorgeous with lots of mountains in the background as well as lots of greenery with the trees in the forests and the open land. Robert Fuller and Patrick Wayne appear in smaller parts, only briefly, so you get to see the two men of different backgrounds and generations bond in a way that takes on the focus and gives great character development to the two characters, as well as show the personalities of both horses and McCrea's dog.
A camaraderie between the young Mina and the elderly McCrea grows, and after Mina discovers that his grandfather has passed away, he longs to be taken in so he can have a family and share in the bond that has been created. Along the way, they encounter all the wonders of nature, dealing with a vicious grizzly bear who once attacked McCrea's dog. Children will love to see the deer, wild cats, raccoons, otters and other wildlife, although there is a twist involving the dog that is very sad. I didn't like the plot about having McCrea obsessed with catching the horse which just wanted its freedom, but the horse also enjoys playing games and taunting them.
Both McCrea and Mina learn things from each other, and it's a touching relationship that grows in the 80 minute running time. Mina does pretty good with limited acting skills, playing the role with mostly a deadpan speech pattern and rarely smiling, but he is a charming, sweet presence who does show charisma on screen. The Montana location footage is gorgeous with lots of mountains in the background as well as lots of greenery with the trees in the forests and the open land. Robert Fuller and Patrick Wayne appear in smaller parts, only briefly, so you get to see the two men of different backgrounds and generations bond in a way that takes on the focus and gives great character development to the two characters, as well as show the personalities of both horses and McCrea's dog.