Sequoia (1934 film)

Sequoia is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film directed by Edwin L. Marin, starring Jean Parker and Russell Hardie. The film is notable for its use of Technicolor sequences and its focus on the relationship between humans and wildlife.

The film tells the story of Toni, a young girl who befriends a young deer named Gigi and a California mountain lion cub named Bimbo. The story follows Toni as she grows up alongside the animals, observing their interactions and the challenges they face in their natural habitat. The film explores themes of nature, friendship, and the impact of human actions on the environment.

Sequoia was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). While not a major blockbuster, it was critically well-received for its cinematography, particularly the Technicolor sequences depicting the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The film is also notable for its attempt to portray animal behavior in a realistic and empathetic manner, even anthropomorphizing the animals' feelings at times. The film’s ending is bittersweet, acknowledging the inevitable separation that occurs between humans and wild animals as they mature and follow their natural instincts.