Of the many iconic movies DreamWorks has made over the years, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has remained a beloved classic. The film tells the story of a mustang named Spirit who grows up wild but is captured by horse wranglers. Spirit develops a relationship with a Lakota American Indian named Little Creek, and together, they escape the horse wranglers and attempt to free other captive horses.
Because of its roots in the Wild West, it may seem like DreamWorks Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is based on a true story. It includes various references to American history, such as the U.S. Calvary’s presence in the American West, the Lakota people and their villages, and work on the transcontinental railroad. Although Spirit is an unlikely protagonist in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, the story is heartfelt and inspiring, emphasizing ideas of freedom and individuality.
Spirit Isn’t Technically A True Story, But It Was Inspired By A Real Horse
Although Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron is not based on a true story, the main character is inspired by a real horse. The horse, whose real name is Donner, was born of two wild horses wrangled in Oregon. Donner is a Kiger Mustang horse, which are known for their unique coloring and relation to America’s first horses brought from Spain in the 17th century. Donner is still alive at the age of 28 and living at Return to Freedom Horse Reserve in central coastal California.
Donner was integral because the animators had never made a horse film like Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron before so they needed not only inspiration but knowledge. The DreamWorks team spent several years with Donner, using him as a resource to understand horse anatomy and how horses move and behave. In the end, Spirit’s animators were able to use Donner to accurately bring Spirit, and other horses, to life as animations. Now, Spirit helps educates regular people on America’s mustangs.
How Other Historical Events Influenced Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron
Another main character that was inspired by real American history was the Colonel. The villain of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was actually based on the notorious Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who fought in the American Indian Wars. Custer is best remembered for “Custer’s Last Stand,” which occurred at the Battle of Little Big Horn when he tried but failed to take the land of the Lakota American Indians.
Though Custer received fame at the time of his death, he is now seen as a dark figure in the American Indian Wars. It’s no surprise then that DreamWorks’ animated movie villain Colonel would have a similar destructive nature. Although the film is not a true story, the DreamWorks Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron made a significant impact, and its legacy, Donner, is fortunately still around to continue inspiring others.
