Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Director: Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook
Cast: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Daniel Studi,
Set against the stunning backdrop of the American frontier, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is a story told from the heart of a wild mustang as he is taken from his home and forced to submit to the will of man. It is there that he is befriended by a young Lakota Indian named Little Creek who helps Spirit overcome impossible odds and untold dangers in order to regain his freedom and return home to be king of his herd.
The essence of this film may be discovered when one considers the protagonist’s name: Spirit.
In the beginning, Spirit is a wild mustang who eventually rises to become the leader of his herd. When fate causes Spirit to be separated from his herd, he is captured by soldiers and brought to an army base where a cruel and strict Colonel tries to break his spirit by starving him and forcing him to submit to his rule. When Spirit escapes the Colonel with Little Creek, not once, but twice, the Colonel finally realizes that the mustang’s spirit will never be broken and he spares his life.
When Spirit meets a young Lakota warrior named Little Creek; he initially tries to tame Spirit by gently teaching him the Lakota way with the help of his beautiful mare, Rain. When Spirit refuses to allow Little Creek to ride him, eventually, Little Creek understands that Spirit wild nature will never be broken and he sets him free. When Spirit returns and saves the young warrior’s life after the soldier’s attack the Lakota tribe’s encampment, Little Creek silently vows to return the favor and follows the soldiers, hoping to save Spirit from his dark fate. When Little Creek and Spirit return to the Lakota tribe after escaping from the soldiers a second time, Little Creek gives the mustang a new name, “Spirit-Who-Could-Not-Be-Broken”, and allows both Spirit and Rain to return to Spirit’s true home in the mountains.
“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is one of Dreamwork’s best animated films to date. The animation is absolutely stunning, the story is brilliant in its simplicity, the casting is flawless and considering none of the horses actually speak, one can very clearly understand every emotion and expression they are feeling. For this to be one of Dreamwork's earlier animated films, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is definitely one of its best.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook
Cast: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Daniel Studi,
Set against the stunning backdrop of the American frontier, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is a story told from the heart of a wild mustang as he is taken from his home and forced to submit to the will of man. It is there that he is befriended by a young Lakota Indian named Little Creek who helps Spirit overcome impossible odds and untold dangers in order to regain his freedom and return home to be king of his herd.
The essence of this film may be discovered when one considers the protagonist’s name: Spirit.
In the beginning, Spirit is a wild mustang who eventually rises to become the leader of his herd. When fate causes Spirit to be separated from his herd, he is captured by soldiers and brought to an army base where a cruel and strict Colonel tries to break his spirit by starving him and forcing him to submit to his rule. When Spirit escapes the Colonel with Little Creek, not once, but twice, the Colonel finally realizes that the mustang’s spirit will never be broken and he spares his life.
When Spirit meets a young Lakota warrior named Little Creek; he initially tries to tame Spirit by gently teaching him the Lakota way with the help of his beautiful mare, Rain. When Spirit refuses to allow Little Creek to ride him, eventually, Little Creek understands that Spirit wild nature will never be broken and he sets him free. When Spirit returns and saves the young warrior’s life after the soldier’s attack the Lakota tribe’s encampment, Little Creek silently vows to return the favor and follows the soldiers, hoping to save Spirit from his dark fate. When Little Creek and Spirit return to the Lakota tribe after escaping from the soldiers a second time, Little Creek gives the mustang a new name, “Spirit-Who-Could-Not-Be-Broken”, and allows both Spirit and Rain to return to Spirit’s true home in the mountains.
“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is one of Dreamwork’s best animated films to date. The animation is absolutely stunning, the story is brilliant in its simplicity, the casting is flawless and considering none of the horses actually speak, one can very clearly understand every emotion and expression they are feeling. For this to be one of Dreamwork's earlier animated films, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is definitely one of its best.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.