The Evolution of This First Ever Animated Horse Film - page1 of 8

It was DreamWorks producer Jeffrey Katzenberg's love of the horse that was the inspiration behind "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron," the first ever animated horse film which debuts in theaters across the nation on May 24, 2002.

"I just love horses. I think the horse is maybe the most beautiful animal on the planet," explained Katzenberg, a principal partner in DreamWorks SKG, a multi-faceted entertainment company co-founded by him, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen in October 1994. Katzenberg most recently produced DreamWorks' Academy Award winning blockbuster "Shrek."

Katzenberg went on to explain that it was four years ago when he decided he wanted to "tell a story through the eyes of an animal. Something that had not been done since the Lion King." He wanted to "take our audience into a world they never had been in before…the world of a Wild Stallion at that most romanticized moment in time…the late 1800s. That was the time when the horse really was the King of his domain."

Katzenberg's influences were three-fold. Katzenberg noted that "Jack London's 'Call of the Wild' is such an amazing piece of creativity and literature…Second 'Dances with Wolves' was inspirational because it was so unique. It had all the ambition and guts to junk every preconceived rule about what you do and don't do…Third was Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard'…here is a guy who faces absolute impossible adversity yet keeps his hope, enthusiasm and courage and he is rewarded, which is a wonderful message."

Those three films help set the foundation for "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." The movie opens with a wonderful galloping scene where Spirit tells his story in voice over narration by Matt Damon. It begins with his birth to a Palomino mare named Esperanza, which in Spanish means "hope." He is a brave and noble Kiger Mustang born free on the open plains of the American West in the late 1800s. The story moves on to when Spirit takes over as leader of the Cimarron herd. You sense freedom and fearlessness as they gallop across their homeland.

Not too long into the story Spirit encounters man for the first time when he is captured by the United States Cavalry and defies being broken as he bucks off rider after rider in their attempt to ride him. His biggest adversary is a stern, determined and strong-willed Colonel. At the same time Spirit develops a friendship with a young Lakota brave named Little Creek, who was also captured. Together they make a daring escape and Little Creek takes Spirit to the Lakota Village where he and Spirit begin building a friendship based on trust and respect. Little Creek also owns a beautiful and gentle Paint mare named Rain. Spirit eventually falls in love with Rain. The movie ends with Spirit and Rain returning to his homeland and herd.

"Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" is a heartwarming story told through the eyes of a young stallion but one that eventually teaches us that with strength, dignity and courage, our spirits cannot be broken and we can all overcome adversity and challenges that are thrown our way. It is the premise that Katzenberg developed this movie around and it is the message that is maintained throughout the movie.