The Light in the Forest

The film is surprisingly beautiful with even Bambi making an appearance for an introduction. It's the very natural settings that make it beautiful, glorifying life in freedom together with nature and generously sharing the splendour of the wilderness along the river in great sequences of pastoral idealism. The boy 'True Son' or 'Johnnie' has been raised wit the Indians for eleven years when he is being repatriated to the whites by the force of a peace treaty, which he initially refuses to accept, but the law is the law, and he adapts to the strange ways of the whites with difficulty and reluctance. Naturally, like in all Disney movies, there is an abominable villain (Wendell Corey) who does everything to ruin his denaturalisation, and there will be conflicts and settlements. Naturally there are pretty girls and ladies involved also, and the happy ending is obligatory and inescapable - after many critical turns. The novel behind it should be much more interesting in exploring these cultural differences, but the film is good enough, and Fess Parker does an admirable job as the boy's guide. The music adds to the charm and beauty of this very likeable film.