Run Wild, Run Free

I have read many reviews praising this move and quite frankly, I don't understand it. We did not know as much about autism in 1969 as we do today, which is evident in this film. The only symptom of autism is the fact that he was non-verbal, which apparently was "cured" by connecting with a horse. He doesn't lack social skills or engage in repetitive behaviors. Even though not much was known about autism even 15 years ago, one can still see the behaviors exhibited and portray those accurately. At best this child has selective mutism, not autism. I just do not see this movie as heart-warming. I see it as a ridiculous portrayal of people on the spectrum.

Some of the animal scenes were shot with props, but many of the scenes using live animals were absolutely cruel. It is hard to understand whether the boy considered the animals as toy objects or as living beings. Is lack of empathy for animals part of autism? Clarifying this would perhaps make the movie less depressing. The scenery was great.

This seems to trade,unsuccessfully, on the success of Kes.The climax reminded me of The Spiral Staircase.The film is just so silly.Good to see Sylvia Simms,John Mills and Gordon Jackson.As for Mark Lester he really doesn't seem to know how to act,which shows what a good director was Carol Reed.This was probably meant for children.I doubt that anyone else would appreciate it.

Mark Lester hasn't spoken a word in years. He and his parents, Gordon Jackson and Sylvia Syms, live by the moors in Devon. Retired Colonel John Mills take an interest in the boy and the moor pony he wanders about with. Since his starring role in OLIVER!, Lester was the great child actor of the British cinema, a position he would hold through the middle of the following decade. This movie tries to be a bit mystical, but is so obvious about its symbols that it is a bit off-putting. Nonetheless, it held my interest, mostly because of the beautiful cinematography of the foggy moors (thanks to cinematographer Wilkie Cooper), the subplot about the kestrel Mills, Lester, and young Fiona Fullerton are training, and Mills' performance. The adults in the cast are a sterling lot, and include Bernard Miles in his last screen performance, sporting a stage West Country accent.

My only comment is that when I was a young girl I must have seen this movie three times. I have never done that for any other movie. It was one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen in story line and cinematography. I am very, very disapointed that I will never be able to ever see this movie again, because I can not find it on video anywhere. If any one has information on where I can see it again please let me know. Thank you.

I saw "Run Wild, Run Free" only once -- when I was 11 or 12 years old (now 49) and have never forgotten the moving effect it had on me. It was the second movie I had ever seen that brought me to tears -- the first was "Bambi." However, it remains indelible in my mind. In doing Internet research today, I just discovered that he mute boy (Phillip) in the movie was supposedly autistic (something of I had no knowledge back then). Interestingly however, I ended up participating as a para-professional behavior therapist in the UCLA "Young Autism" program run then by Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D. when I was an undergrad there. Having recently joined Netflix, I was hoping to be able to rent it and view it again, but to my dismay, it's not considered a classic so not generally available on rental. I am hoping that someday this movie will be available for rental or purchase on DVD. Regards, Cassandra2