Down the Long Hills (1986)

Two youngsters — Hardy Collins and Betty Sue Powell — are left to fend for themselves after Indians attack the wagon train they were traveling with, killing Betty Sue’s parents.

Well, they’re not quite alone. They have a trusty stallion named Big Red by Hardy’s dad, Scott Collins (Bruce Boxleitner), who went West without his son.

Collins, learning of the massacre, heads out to find the children, accompanied by an old-timer and tracker named Squires (Jack Elam).

But an Indian who wants Big Red is also on the children’s trail.

So are two no-accounts named Jud and Cal. They also want the horse.

In fact, they were responsible for the Indian attack, trading stolen Indian horses to the westbound settlers in exchange for supplies.

The Indians, in turn, thought members of the wagon train swiped the horses.

Thomas Wilson Brown as Hardy Collins, hearing the ominous sounds of the Indian attack in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Lisa MacFarlane as Betty Sue Powell, a 5-year-old orphaned in an attack on the wagon train in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Review:

This family Western might not be nearly so insufferable if it weren’t for some ridiculously silly scenes and dialogue that’s repeated over and over again.

Hardy is constantly reassuring Betty Sue that his dad will find them. Scott Collins is constantly telling Squires that he taught his son all the skills he’d need to survive on his own.

Big Red is a hero on his own. He manages to find the kids when they get separated. He fights with wolves. He bucks a bad guy off his back. He even fights with a grizzly and gets badly wounded.

But just when it looks like he’s given up, Betty Sue pleads, “Please get up, Big Red.” Big Red hopes to his fight; Hardy proclaims that he’s going to be just fine.

In another scene, Collins and Squires are being chased by four Indians. Collins hides behind a tree, pulls out his rope and lassos not one, not two, but three of the Indians.

They don’t fight back. They run off, chasing their horses. Oh, my.

The was a Disney film, based on a novel by Western author Louis L’Amour. His first novel was “Hondo,” the basis for the John Wayne film by the same name.

Bruce Boxleitner as Scott Collins, embarking on a journey to find his son in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Jack Elam as Bill Squire, the old timer and tracker who rides with Scott Collins in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Directed by:
Burt Kennedy

Cast:
Bruce Boxleitner … Scott Collins
Bo Hopkins … Jud
Michael Wren … Cal
Don Shanks … Ashawakie
Ed Bruce … Bregman
Buck Taylor … Grey
Thomas Wilson Brown … Hardy Collins
Lisa MacFarlane … Betty Sue Powell
Jack Elam … Bill Squires

Runtime: 95 min.

aka: Louis L’Amour’s Down the Long Hills

Michael Wren as Cal, one of the horse thieves who starts all the trouble in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Bo Hopkins as Jud, Cal’s partner in horse stealing in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Memorable lines:

Scott Collins to Bill Squires: “That boy worked beside me every since he could walk. He can snare a rabbit, build a bow and arrow, and I taught him how to shoot. And how to survive. Now, if he’s alive, he’s gonna be expecting me.”

Hardy Collins to Betty Sue: “My pa taught me the only way a man can get through this world is by using his brains. Bear’s got his claws. Wolf’s got his nose. Hawk’s got his wings. But man, he can get along if he uses his brains.”

Betty Sue: “Why is that Indian after us?”
Hardy Collins: “I’m been thinking about it. I don’t think he wants us. I think he wants Big Red.”
Betty Sue: “That isn’t nice.”
Hardy: “No, it isn’t, Betty Sue.”

Don Shanks as Ashawakie, the Indian hoping to capture Big Red in Down the Long Hills (1986)

Thomas Wilson Brown as Hardy Collins and Lisa MacFarlane as Betty Sue, searching for safety in Down the Long Hills (1986)