Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Spirit defends his herd from a mountain lion attack, which is depicted as a struggle where Spirit ultimately crushes the predator. Spirit is violently captured by the U.S. Cavalry, roped, bound, and taken to an army outpost, where he is subjected to a 'horse-breaking' process involving whips, physical force, and deprivation of food and water by the Colonel. A cavalry regiment attacks the Lakota village, featuring gunshots and arrows, and Rain is shot by the Colonel, appearing severely injured and falling into a river.

Spirit falls in love with Rain, Little Creek's mare, shown through a 'falling-in-love montage' with scenes of them swimming, sharing an apple, and nuzzling affectionately. In a fleeting moment, Spirit explores a sleeping human camp and nuzzles a dreaming man who, in his sleep, smiles and kisses the horse. Some reviews interpret this as mild sexual innuendo.

Spirit faces life-threatening situations such as being captured by the cavalry, enduring harsh attempts to break him including starvation, and being caught in a forest fire after a train wreck. The film features thrilling chase sequences, including Spirit and Little Creek escaping through canyons and making a 'daring leap across a chasm' while pursued by soldiers. The attack on the Lakota village and Rain being shot can also be intense for children.

Spirit, the wild mustang, consistently resists all efforts by the U.S. Cavalry, particularly the Colonel, to break him and force him into submission, embodying a 'radical search for freedom' and actively rebelling against domestication. Little Creek, a Lakota brave, is captured while attempting to free horses from the cavalry and actively aids Spirit in his escape, defying the authority of the U.S. Army.

Movieguide highlights an 'anti-western civilization bias' and 'revisionist history,' portraying the U.S. Cavalry (representing Western Civilization) as 'mean, cruel and repressive' while Native Americans and animals are depicted as 'noble.' This framing, emphasizing 'White men bad; Indians and animals good,' may be a concern for Christian parents. Additionally, there is a brief 'negative remark invoking Providence with a capital P,' which could be interpreted as subtle irreverence or a casual reference to God.