Tonka, cheval sauvage

A hearty tale of Comanche, a horse who survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Sal Mineo and Philip Carey are good in their respective roles of White Bull and Myles Keogh, though more suitable casting should've been made for the former obviously. None of the other cast stand out.

The premise is what's most interesting about this film, as we follow the journey of 'Tonka' across differing owners. It isn't the greatest in terms of enjoyment, it goes through peaks and troughs with some parts becoming rather slow. However, the horse and Mineo keep things floating at a decent level to make for a solid 1958 production.

A real wholesome movie, especially from the perspective of the American-Indian. If not mistaken, back when this was released it was meant to be a Sal Mineo vehicle. Mineo plays White Bull, a young boy coming to grips with becoming a man. Others of note in this scenic drama are Joy Page, Rafael Campos, Slim Pickens and John War Eagle. Doubtful you would watch this more than once.

It,s one of those Disney family movies from the fifties, that gives you a good feeling, like many others from the same cataloging. Disney was outstanding in those days. Nostalgia, of course, but they don't make them like this anymore. Tonka, was one of the frontier movies that went a bit deeper into the Indian nation, and also portrayed Custer as the mean man he was. One of the first times from Hollywood actually. At the same time told the story of the sole survivor from The Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Excellent photography, and Sal Mineo's part as White Bull and his companionship with Tonka, was indeed heartwarming. Disney ought to put this out on DVD, with historical bonus etc. Jørn Back, Norway

This was one of my absolute favourite movies as a kid. It seems strange to me now that they could make a family movie about a battle where one side was entirely wiped out (except the horse of course). Not that there was any blood and gore in the film. It just seems a strange topic for a kids movie.

I remember this movie being shot on location on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon about 100 miles southeast of Portland,OR.. I was 13 at the time. It was during the summer when school was out. Some footage was shot just west of the BIA Agency compound behind the Boarding school and other locations as well. Some of the residents were used as extras and of course all the girls went crazy meeting him.

He made us all feel very special while he was there. As I remember, other scenes were shot around Bend Oregon.

Thanks Sal for being so gracious.