Tonka (1958)

Actors: Oliver Wallace (composer), Slim Pickens (actor), Al Wyatt Sr. (actor), Lillie Hayward (writer), Walt Disney (miscellaneous crew), Ellsworth Hoagland (editor), Gregg Martell (actor), Philip Carey (actor), Robert 'Buzz' Henry (actor), Lewis R. Foster (writer), Lewis R. Foster (director), Sal Mineo (actor), Jerome Courtland (actor), H.M. Wynant (actor), Herbert Rudley (actor),

Plot: In Dakota territory in the 1870s, White Bull, a young Sioux, proves his manhood by catching and training a wild colt he names Tonka. When a cruel cousin claims the horse as the privilege of rank, White Bull lets Tonka go. The horse ends up in the hands of a captain in the US cavalry about the time that Sitting Bull gathers the tribes to confront the growing US presence, epitomized by the bigoted General Custer. All paths, including those of White Bull and Tonka, lead to the confluence of the Little and Big Horn rivers.

Keywords: american-indian, animal-in-title, based-on-novel, boy-horse-relationship, character-name-in-title, colt, horse, horse-riding, native-american, rider-horse-relationship
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Western,
Taglines: The Untold Story behind the West's Strangest Legend!

Chief Crazy Horse (1955)

Actors: James Westerfield (actor), Dennis Weaver (actor), Robert St. Angelo (actor), Robert Warwick (actor), David Janssen (actor), Robert F. Simon (actor), Morris Ankrum (actor), Paul Guilfoyle (actor), Emile Avery (actor), Victor Mature (actor), Charles Horvath (actor), James Millican (actor), Ray Danton (actor), Stuart Randall (actor), Henry Wills (actor),

Plot: When young Crazy Horse, of whom great things were predicted, wins his bride, rival Little Big Man goes to villainous traders with evidence of gold in the sacred Lakota burial ground. Of course, a new gold rush starts despite all treaties, and Crazy Horse becomes military leader of his people. Initial Indian victories lead to the inevitable result. Uniquely, all is told from the Indian perspective.

Keywords: american-indian, ammunition, battle, battle-strategy, battlefield, bow-and-arrow, clouds, fort, friendship, general
Genres: Biography, Western,
Taglines: GREAT SAGA OF THE FIGHTING SIOUX... (original ad - all caps) He Hurled The Lance That Smashed Custer That Historic Day At Little Big Horn!

Quotes:

Chief Crazy Horse: How many times must the white man break his word? How short are your memories that you can again accept their promises? Has Olm Man Afraid forgotten the peace talks on the Shell River? Has Sitting Bull forgotten the peace talks at Blue Water? Has Dull Knife forgotten the peace talks at Sand Creek? And Red Cloud, has he forgotten our people who came to this fort before us, who have grown sick and old before their time? No, our nation will not be divided as it was at Shell River, at Blue Water and at Sand Creek. I would like to ask my friend, Twist, a question. Why is today's promises any different from those of yesterday?::Major Twist: All I know is the Commissioner wants this fighting stopped.::Chief Crazy Horse: He's put his name to the paper too many times before.::Major Twist: Always as a friend of the Lakota.::Chief Crazy Horse: Then the Lakotas prefer its enemies! I set my face against this treaty. This is our country... the sacred land of our fathers. I will fight for it... and I will die for it!

Chief Crazy Horse: My father looks at his son with eyes blinded by the lodge smoke.

Gen. Crook: Why hunt buffalo? We're giving your people what they need.::Chief Crazy Horse: But with my people, the buffalo hunt isn't the same as that with white. We don't hang the buffalo's head on a pole in the lodge and boast of our hunting skill. By eating his flesh, our flesh becomes strong. His skin makes our clothing, his bones our arrows, his hair makes the ropes for our horses. Even the covering on our feet comes from him. The buffalo is truly our friend... sent to give us life. Take this hunt from us and we are no longer Lakotas. We're no longer men. We're nameless and dead.

Jeff Mantz: It isn't often we get such fine pelts as you brought us... or such pretty yellow stones. Where did you get them?::Little Big Man: From the Lakota burial grounds. They ward off evil spirits. They are big medicine.

Red Cloud: Hear my words. Life melts from me. My eyes see into the mist. Someday a great warrior leader will arise among us. His medicine will be very storng against the whites. He will unite all the tribes of the Lakotas... and lead us to vicotry. But drive envy and jealousy from your hearts. For when this great warrior dies, it will be at the hand of a Lakota.

Chief Crazy Horse: I'm not speaking of visions. I'm speaking of a way to silence their guns without death. Time after time we've gone into battle like a herd of buffalo made crazy by fear. Knowing this, their soldiers have cut down. I have watched their soldiers many, many times... and how their young men are held back by the commands of their leaders until the time for the killing. Our young warriors must learn this. They must be obedient! They must be like the lance... that is obedient to the hand until it is thrown.

Jeff Mantz: Take a good look, Little Big Man! Make up your mind. You'll see plenty more blood spilled for a long time to come... until the country becomes civilized.