Peter Miles stars as Tom Tiflin, the little boy at the heart of this John Steinbeck story set in Salinas Valley. With his incompatible parents -- the city-loving Fred and country-happy Alice -- constantly bickering, Tom looks to cowboy Billy Buck for companionship and paternal love.
Acting
Robert Mitchum's quiet, wounded cowboy warmth.
Cinematography
Lush valley beauty that makes tragedy hit harder.
Writing
Steinbeck's dialogue cuts like a branding iron.
Director
Lewis Milestone
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Steinbeck himself co-wrote the screenplay and considered this his most autobiographical work—his own pony died of strangles too.
Lewis Milestone fought the studio to keep the bleak ending; they wanted the pony to live. He was right.
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