This movie has several beautiful nature scenes and a good story to boot. Eli McDonough (Dan Haggerty) is reunited with his son, who spent some time with another family member following his mother’s death. Eli needed the time away he tells his son to be by himself. His mourning now over, he intends to teach his son self sufficiency and his appreciation of nature, including the communion he shares with the animals and fowls of the land in Oregon circa 1851. He is friends with a beautiful golden eagle called Lady, and she is a loyal companion, especially when Eli unexpectedly needs her help.
There is a villain in the story for Eli to contend with, a man named Hatchett (William Smith) who wears a patch over one eye, after having lost it in a fight with Eli in the past. Hatchett has never forgiven Eli and seeks revenge by taking something very important to Eli.
This movie was enjoyable to watch, as it is set in a seemingly more simple period of time. The nature scenes of rivers, trees, animals and the sky are nicely captured. We gladly award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to the film. The “Spirit of the Eagle” comes to life in this film!
Editor’s note: It has been Dove’s policy not to award The Dove Seal to a film that contains a verbal curse, such as “go to hell” or “damn you.” However, because of the immediate and exacting consequences of such a curse in this film, the review board has made an exception in this case. Dove always looks at context as well as content when evaluating a movie. Therefore, the committee has awarded the Dove Family-Approved Seal for audiences age 12 and over to “Spirit of the Eagle”.