Thought provoking....
Seeing this movie for the first time a few days ago, I was impressed by how it still has issues that are faced today. When a person is in the military, and they are given orders they have difficulty with, do they obey their commander, or their conscience? Would they be willing to go with what they believe against orders, even if they would be executed for it?

This movie was made at the end of the Cowboys are the good guys and Indians are the bad guys era. It is much more historically accurate, and shows things from the Indians point of view also. James Garner and Vera Miles are brilliant as always. There are some hair-raising moments which add to the action, as well as humorous and heart touching ones.

I saw this on DVD, and would have liked to have seen an interview with the actors, especially what it was like to have worked with the animals involved. Who else but Disney would have come up with James Garner being chased on a camel ? So much fun!

Cute for Kids - But Is It About an Indian??
You have to start this with one thing in mind - this is a Disney film. That means you have a very white washed, comedic view of what is happening. In essence this is a "family gathering up" story, involving a guy and his "son", meeting up with a lady and her daughter. Cute romance is sure to follow.

First, the guy and son. James Garner is Keyes, who deserted from the army - but of course it was for a noble cause. He quickly runs into Mark, a kid who at first glance *looks* like an Indian, but of course he isn't. He was a white boy captured by the Cheyenne natives, who is now free again. The two have a mother-daughter pair of camels who are adoringly ornery.

Off they go in the Utah desert, worrying about both Indians and the army. There are typical hijinks and horseplay as they go. They soon run into a gorgeous blonde lady and her equally gorgeous blonde daughter. Keyes falls for the lady. Mark thinks the girl has cooties.

Of course, in true Disney fashion, everything works out lovely for all involved, with a few spots of age-appropriate minor sadness.

This is a super movie for young tykes, with pretty much zero swearing, violence, or other nastiness that has infiltrated modern media. However, from the point of view of this involving "one little indian" - they could have done *Far* better. Why not have had the child actually BE an Indian? Why not show more about native american culture? Really, this is more about "The Brady Bunch in the Old West" - certainly a casual, fun romp - but not involving Indians at all.

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.