The movie was based on a novel by Conrad Richter which was published in 1953. A sequel, A Country of Strangers, was published in 1966. Disney bought the film rights in June 1953 but announced they would not make it until 1957. In October 1955 the film was in "preparation". In March 1956 Fess Parker - who played Davy Crockett for Disney - was announced as star, and a search was underway to find someone to play the young male lead. Filming was to begin in July. Filming was delayed. In May 1957 it was announced the lead role would be played by James MacArthur, the son of Helen Hayes and Charles MacArthur, who had recently appeared in The Young Stranger. MacArthur was under a five year contract to RKO and was a college student at Harvard. He made the film over his summer vacation. MacArthur signed a three picture deal with Disney as part of his casting. On Light in the Forest he was paid $2500 a week. This went up to $3,000 a week for the second film and $3,500 for the third, although he could not be forced to work other than during his summer vacation. Herschel Doughtery was signed to direct. He was best known at the time for directing The Road that Led Afar for Revue. Filming started in July 1957. Its song title was written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, Paul J. Smith and his main collaborator, Hazel "Gil" George. It expands the role of Del Hardy, portrayed by the popular Fess Parker, who remains with the Butler family much longer than in the novel. True Son’s blood brother, Gordon does not appear in the film. The character of Shenandoe, Uncle Wilse’s indentured servant, was added as a love interest for True Son. In the film the antagonism between True Son and Wilse culminates in a fist fight rather than Wilse's scalping. While the novel ends on a note of uncertainty, with True Son alone on a remote road and unsure where his future lies, the film has him return to his family, to Shenandoe, and, presumably, to a life on a plot of wild land his father has had deeded to him. The film was shot in Lookout Valley, Chattanooga, Tennessee and California.
of The New York Times wrote that the film was "talky and the dramatic incidents are less vivid than they ordinarily are in Disney films. However, the whole thing is wholesome, in a nice, simple, outdoor way, and the scenery is pretty in color. It should entertain the kids." Variety reported that the film had "the same wholesome adventure qualities that distinguished 'Old Yeller.' Like most Disney productions, it is pastoral in quality, almost fable-like in its gentle approach to some basically bitter situations, but it is well-paced, has capable acting and a brace of marquee names, plus wide screen and Technicolor." Geoffrey Warren of the Los Angeles Times wrote that James MacArthur and Carol Lynley were "real charmers with more than their share of talent." He found Herschel Daugherty's direction "outstanding" and Lawrence Edward Watkin's screenplay "quite good." The Monthly Film Bulletin observed, "Dramatically, its action is limited and uneventful. But the scenes in the forest are shot with a fresh eye for natural beauty, and children might well find the film enjoyable. The acting, in spite of the presence of skilful players Wendell Corey and Jessica Tandy, is seldom more than competent."
