Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Falconeer This rare title from 1958 features the amazing and charismatic Sal Mineo as a young Indian brave, who captures and trains a horse that will become his friend, and later his ally in one of the bloodiest battles in American history. Tough subject for a Disney production, but the famed "Battle of Little Big Horn" led by General Armstrong Custer, against a surprisingly well-armed and well-prepared Indian tribe, is handled very effectively, and impressively, without downplaying the violence. The first segment of this gem of a film focuses entirely on the bond that develops between White Bull (Sal Mineo) and his wild horse, as the Indian brave trains Tonka to trust him. The way in which White Bull is always trying to win the respect of his mother, and of his tribe, and to prove his manhood, is done in a most believable way. And when Tonka falls into the hands of the White troops, the story switches gears and becomes a bit more of an adult Western. The final battle is swift and bloody, but there is a happy resolution for the Indian boy and his horse. It is a nice change of pace to see the Indians portrayed, not as savages, but as people with hearts and pride in their land, and love for their kin. And whoever thought of General Armstrong Custer as some kind of "hero" will be surprised to see that he is portrayed as anything but a hero. Seen as a blue-eyed racist, a rabid hater of the Indians, a people who were having their land and their heritage savagely ripped apart by the new arrivals. After 30 years, Disney has finally issued a legitimate DVD for the title "Tonka." The picture quality is pristine, taken from a master that is in fine shape. Colors are bold and images are sharp. Wonderful, especially considering the age and rarity of the title. Almost none of Sal Mineo's films have had legit video releases, so this makes this one even more important. "Tonka" is a superb example of a certain era and style of film-making that is gone, but not forgotten. A true classic, available again to a new generation.

melba-5 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

Bug-38 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.

Michael O'Keefe 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.