The 1958 Walt Disney Production of The Light In the Forest is an adaptation of the same-titled Conrad Richter novel which tells the story of a white baby kidnapped by Indians in 1760s America. Fast forward 18 years and the youth (James MacArthur), due to a treaty between the Indians and the ruling British faces the choice of returning to his rightful people or remaining in the only life he's ever known. Resistant at first, the youth, with the help of an Indian scout (Disney staple Fess Parker), slowly begins to assimilate himself back into his birthright. His racist uncle (Wendell Corey) makes the transition more difficult as he's vowed to kill any and all "redskins" that cross his path.
Filmed in Tennessee and California, The Light In the Forest presents a departure from the standard Disney "safe" subject matter by tackling issues usually left to more "adult" film-makers. The film is also notable for providing the film debut of a young Carol Lynley as the youth's love interest.
