Sequoia (1935)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Like most of the reviewers, I recall this film as a beautiful childhood memory, and of course, the scene I vividly recall is the "recognition scene" between Malibu and Gatu. I also remember crying my eyes out and it may have contributed to my love of animals as well. I have been lucky enough to have seen it more recently and, even with the romantic sub-plot, it did not disappoint.Amid the beautiful panorama of the giant forests, a drama is unfolding. Two baby animals, a mountain lion and a deer are left orphaned and are found by Toni (Jean Parker) whose father, Matthew Martin (Samuel S. Hinds) is a writer. He feels that it is only through sheer necessity that animals kill each other. Toni is determined that Malibu, the deer and Gatu, the puma, by growing up together, will love each other. The ranger scoffs at the idea that wild animals can be tamed and he is soon proved right. Chickens start disappearing and Gatu is the chief suspect. Toni and her father are due to return to town, so it is with great sadness that she sets them free, hoping they will always remain friends.Of course, "that scene' when Gatu is just about to strike but realises it is his childhood friend Malibu, sent me running for the tissues. They grow older - Malibu finds a partner, who is shot by Bergman (Paul Hurst, of course) the evil poacher, and leaves his own fawn to be looked after by Toni, who is back in the forest. There is a very exciting scene where Bergman is just about to shoot Malibu but Gatu comes to the rescue. There is a tussle and together they (Bergman and Gatu) roll toward the cliff. The movie ends very optimistically as hunting is finally prohibited in the National Park - every year thousands of deer were slaughtered until the whole country was up in arms. The last scene is Malibu and Gatu frolicking together in the snow.Jean Parker was one of MGM's "sweet young things" discovered in the early thirties. Usually only required to blush prettily and to wipe her tears away coyly, her roles didn't require much pep (she was the angelic Beth in "Little Women" (1933)). "Sequoia" was different and required her to be a bit more spirited. Surprisingly, she had a long career that only petered out in the 50s.Recommended.

To all who love SEQUIOA, you have great taste in good ol' films. By now, you all know TNT has shown it in '08, and it IS available on VHS (got it some years ago). Growing up in N.J., it was on the TV all the time; out here in California, it was shown back in the '80's at an "old movie" theater with Jean Parker's name headlining the marquee. I also have the Vance Hoyt book--quite good, but the girl is a guy. For the record, if the archives of my memory are still intact, the movie was filmed over a period of 2 years (was Jean's first(?), but not the first released, obviously), so that the real cub and fawn could grow together naturally. The nature shots in the beginning alone could very well have been inspiration for many of Walt's later doc's...who knows???

This movie is a real treasure form my childhood. I remember watching it as the morning movie on San Francisco's Channel 7 while curled up next to my mother when I was about 4 r 5. To this day I think my love for wild animals and sense of loyalty stem from this movie. The theme I hold most dear from the movie is that natural enemies can become friends when both are nurtured with love. I think this movie's message is more timely now than ever before.This movie reminds me of how man gems have been made in Hollywood only to be lost with the passage of time. Maybe Channel 7 still has a print. It is worth contacting them to ask.Also, my wife is from Japan and has not had the chance to see Sequoia so I hope it becomes available on DVD so I can share it with her.

"Sequoia" has haunted me since I was about 10 years old. I saw it on black-and-white television, and all I really remember about it is the scene of a mountain lion lying down and a buck deer standing close by. This fascinated me no end, though I joked about it in later years ("The camera was shut off just before the mountain lion got up, jumped on the deer, and killed it!" ha) For many years I was beginning to wonder if this film was just a dream, because I could not find it listed in any of my "movies on TV" type books. I even tried movie search services before I found the right one and they described the plot to me and I finally knew that "Sequoia" did exist! However, I am saddened to learn the information given on others of these postings--that it does not exist anymore, or has been lost. I sincerely hope this is not so, because I'd snap it up in a minute if it became available!