A Review from a Double Point of View——OnAnAnimatedMotionPictureSpirit:StallionoftheCimarron
2010-08-15 00:42:11□王閱
戲劇之家 2010年4期
□王 閱
Spirit isan image of an amiable horse in the animated motion picture ofthe same name,yes,he isour hero.This motion picture tells"the story of a wild mustang stallion's journey through the untamed West of the late 1800s"."Along the way he dodges cavalry,befriends a young Lakota brave,and risks his life trying to save a beautiful paint horse named Rain."(1).Here what I propose is the double point of view which attracts me most.On one hand,it'sfrom a horse'spoint ofview.While on the other,it's from a native Indian’s point of view.It criticizes human beings who destroy the eco-system,in the same breath,it pointsout sharply that the American whiteswho treated badly towards the local Indians in early Western USare guilty.
Spirit may in a sense refer to the spirit of freedom or liberty which he pursuesall hisway.So when thisfreedom and balance isbroken by human,he resistswildly and violently.The author provides a sharp contrast towards the wisdom of horses and stupidity of human beings in quite an ironical way."the horses warn each other about impending danger,and even more pointedly celebrate when,for example,Spirit humiliates the soldiers who presume to try to break him in the fort corral."(2)Then we find the author's attitude toward human beings is satirical rather than favorable.This is beyond the self-centered prejudice which exceeds our own limitation.In this way,the importance of environmental protection is mentioned by the horses(actually by the author)quite vividly.And also thanks to the marvellous depiction of the natural scenery from the Western America,the beauty remindsusto protect our wonderfulsightsofnature.
The other companion of Spirit besides our heroine Rain is her master-an Indian named Little Creek who is also a captive.During their escape,he is quick and smart.The flexibility of his movements shows the Indian's courage and adaptivity.Their cooperation also reflects the author'sintention of criticizing the American whitesin the March to the Western US.It'squite content or satisfied to have seen their victory ofthe chase from the whites.
In conclusion,thisanimated movie providesusa new style of perspective.Meanwhile,its gorgeous pictures and elegant characters(of course not the whites)also give us a feast ofeyes.
N otes:
[1]Spirit:Stallion of the Cimarrron--meet H ollyw ood'snew est w estern star.M argaret Brow n Pickw orth.Southw est A rt.H ouston:Summer 2002.pg.68,6 pgs
[2]Spirit:Stallion of the Cimarron.Todd M cCarthy.V ariety ReviewD atabase.N ewY ork:M ay 2002.
