Camels in the Calvary
microjoe | 11/03/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"BEHIND THE SCENES & TRUE TRIVIA: Directed by Bernard McEveety (not to be confused with his brothers Vince or Joe, who also directed at Disney Studios). Bernard also directed "The Bears and I", "Napoleon and Samantha", as well as "The Boy and the Bronc Buster". Filming took place near Kanab, Utah. The film pulls together a stellar cast including James Garner, Vera Miles, Jodie Foster, Jay Silverheels, Jim Davis and Clay O'Brian . Jodie Foster appeared in 4 Disney theatrical movies during this period, and 1 television movie for Disney, "Menace on the Mountain". Jodie Foster broke her ankle during filming, one of a series of mishaps on the project including a flood, a fire, stuntman injuries, and lightning striking a plane carrying the cast and crew. There actually was a testing program for the suitability of stylizing camels in the southwest states by the U.S. Calvary during the period the movie is portraying. Released in theatres on June 20, 1973 well after the passing of Mr. Walt Disney. It was aired as a two episode story on the Disney weekly television show "Wonderful World of Disney on NBC on September 26, and October 3, 1976. It was first released to VHS in 1986 in the Disney clamshell, prior to the 200 release by Anchor Bay. Anchor Bay remastered the video image and sound, and released a widescreen VHS version as well. 91 minutes in length. He film is a bit slow at times, but enjoyable overall, suitable for all ages.
THE STORY: When a U.S. Cavalryman attempts to intercede in a massacre of a village, he is branded an outlaw charged with mutiny. He flees towards old Mexico with U.S. property, two camels Rosie and her calf, Thirsty. Along the way he reluctantly befriends a 10 year old named Mark, raised by Indians, who is also on the run. The cavalry is hot on their heels. The two come across a remote homestead run by a widow and her daughter, who in turn must decide whether to aid the strangers on the run or to slow them down for their pursuers.
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