Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #160070 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-03-18
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
Filmed on location in Utah, One Little Indian is a leisurely paced Western adventure for children and families. This sets it apart from many of those that preceded it in the '70s--and appear to have served as influences--like Little Big Man (1970) and Jeremiah Johnson (1972). There is less violence and, as in many Disney productions, animal sidekicks are a big part of the action; in this case, an ornery camel named Rosie and her calf, Thirsty. James Garner plays Keyes, a deserter from the U.S. Cavalry, who "borrows" the camels while making his escape. Shortly afterwards, he meets Mark (Clay O'Brien), a white boy raised by Indians upon the death of his parents. He too slipped away from the cavalry after they rounded up his adopted family for relocation. He joins Keyes for a trip to Mexico. Along the way, they encounter widow Doris McIver (Vera Miles) and daughter Martha (Jodie Foster). All the while, the cavalry is hot on their trail. Bernard McEveety directed episodes of a number of TV Westerns from the '50s through the '70s. These included Gunsmoke, which featured appearances by Miles (a favorite of John Ford) and Foster. He would later direct Garner in his best-known series, The Rockford Files, the following year. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Support Your Local Camel Jockey
One Little Indian is a late entry from the Golden Age of Walt Disney, but it's an engaging and enjoyable film. James Garner was in a transitional period here, dabbling with TV and high-grade B-movies like Those Daring Dobermans. He's just as charming as ever, which seems out of place since he IS a deserter. However, as the script is a timely one, his only "crime" was disrupting a massacre of a peaceful Indian camp. So perhaps for the only time in history, we have Viet Nam, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and Jodie Foster coinciding in spacetime.

Several things make this a good movie. An early tip off to the quality is a first-rate Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack. Next, and most important, Clay O'brien is a very appealing child actor. Add Jodie Foster to the young'un cast and you've got a nice set of kids. Not only that, but the supporting cast is loaded with familiar faces if you're a Western fan. The only shortcoming is there are too few scenes with Vera Miles. I wish the interlude between her and Mr. Garner had lasted longer. In breaking with current tradition, Andrew Prine plays a clergyman who is honest, sympathetic, and Godly. Hollywood hasn't heard of anything like that in decades! And as for the camel(s), it is not just a gimmick, but is really relevant to the plotline. I suppose if the camel had belched or farted, the movie would appeal more to kids today, but thank God there was once a time when they considered that too vulgar. In short, this is good vintage James Garner with a lot of extras thrown in.

What a hoot!
I loved this film.

What an absolutely hilarious movie. There are scenes that are so unforgettable.... like in the first place.... what is James Garner doing on a camel in the old west?!?!?

But it makes sense as the film goes along. And the scenes between James Garner and the little boy Clay O'Brien are often comical. They work great together. You'd never know that the "Indian" boy in this film is the same blonde-haired, blue-eyed youngster in John Wayne's classic film, "Cahill, U.S. Marshall".

I enjoy a good comedy film, and this one is near the top of my list. James Garner is always so believable in whatever role he plays.... and if being a camel-riding, orphan-toting, short-tempered cavalry-escapee is his role, only James Garner can make it seem believable (in the comedy role that it is).

If you wish to view a simple, rural, 1800's-style comedy film that is sure to be enjoyed.... this is one I'd certainly recommend.

Family movie with favorite actors
I remember seeing One Little Indian as a kid so I picked it up. There's not much action but a long traveling story. The interesting thing is the list of up and coming stars that were in it.
Jay Silverheels (Tonto), Jim Davis from the tv show Dallas
Robert Pine from CHIPS, James Garner from Rockford Files and of course Jodie Foster.
As many Disney films there's some action and sad events in the story. A white boy (Clay O'Brien)who was captured by the indians as a child. Then taken away from his indian "mother" whom he wants to get back to. This is a fine family movie for the younger set and for those who want to see the actors before they were famous.