The Tracker (1988)

Kris Kristofferson is Noble Adams, a retired tracker who worked for the law and for the U.S. Cavalry, helping trail outlaws and Apaches.

At least he’s retired until an old friend Lane Crawford (David Huddleston) comes calling.

Seems an outlaw named Frank Stillwell has escaped prison with a group of buddies and has gone on a killing spree.

Since the old friend once saved his life, Noble’s in no position to turn down his request for help in tracking down the killers.

Tom Adams (Mark Moses), Noble’s son, insists on going along. He’s just back from the East — in fact, he plans to return to join a law firm — but wants to spend some time with his dad first.

Noble’s not thrilled with the idea. On the trail, he doesn’t hesitate to kill when the need arises, and that’s a side of him his son has never seen.

The hunt get more urgent when Stillwell, a Danite with twisted beliefs, decides to send Nobel a message by attacking a ranch, killing the owner and making off with the man’s 12-year-old daughter and a Navajo servant girl.

The hunt gets more complicated when a group of bounty hunters join the chase, enticed by the price placed on Stillwell’s head.

Kris Kristofferson as Noble Adams, wondering if his son can kill the way he’ll have to when facing vicious outlaws in The Tracker (1988)

Mark Moses as Tom Adams, hoping not to let his father Noble down in The Tracker (1988)

Review:

An HBO film, better done and more violent than most made-for-TV Westerns of the time, featuring a solid performance from star Kris Kristofferson.

The trip turns into a coming-of-age journey for young Tom Adams, who shirks at his father’s violent nature and has trouble pulling the trigger and dispatching of outlaws in Nobel’s cold-blooded fashion.

In fact, his less violent nature causes problems more than once.

Meanwhile, Stillwell regards kidnapped Mary Bolton as a princess, to be taken back to Utah and raised by the Mormons. Her Navajo companion, Inez, isn’t nearly so highly regarded.

This marked the final film for director John Guillermin, whose 40 movies also included “El Condor” (1971), starring Jim Brown and Lee Van Cleef.

Scott Wilson as John ‘Red Jack’ Stillwell, waiting for a badge to step into range in The Tracker (1988)

David Huddleston as Lane Crawford, the aging lawman trying to recapture killer John Stillwell in The Tracker (1988)

Directed by:
John Guillermin

Cast:
Kris Kristofferson … Noble Adams
Scott Wilson … John “Red Jack” Stillwell
Mark Moses … Tom Adams
David Huddleston … Lane Crawford
John Quade … Lomax
Don Swayze … Brewer
Geoffrey Blake … Miller
Leon Rippy … Chub Dumont
Ernie Lively … Bob
Karen Kopins … Sarah Bolton
Celia Xavier … Inez
Jennifer Snyder … Mary Bolton
Jeff Celentano … Lon
Brynn Thayer … Lottie Adams
Jose Rey Toledo … Redondo

Runtime: 97 min.

aka:
Dead or Alive

Karen Kopins as Sarah Bolton, hoping for the safe return of younger sister Mary in The Tracker (1988)

Jennifer Snyder as Mary Bolton, interrupting outlaws ramsacking her father’s home in The Tracker (1988)

Memorable lines:

Noble Adams, as he prepares to help Lane Crawford track down Stillwell with son Tom along on the trip: “It’s a side of me I’d hoped he’d never see.”

A Mormon: “The gentiles are comin’ to get ya, though I can’t say I blame them much.”
John Stillwell: “Well, that’s been tried before, brother.”
The Mormon: “Not like this time, Danite. They’ve sent their avenger, Noble Adams.”

Noble Adams, to a group of bounty hunters who spoil his trap for capturing Stillwell: “You men can ride out of here. Or you can die. There’s no third way.”

Bounty hunter: “How’s that face, Chub?”
Chub Dumont: “Let me tell you something, brother boy. I’m gonna snatch that bastard’s privates out. You can bet on it.”

John Stillwell: “Don’t I get a trial?”
Noble Adams: “Put your hands on a child. All you get is dead.”

Celia Xavier as Inez, the Navajo girl trying to protect Mary Bolton (Jennifer Snyder) from harm in The Tracker (1988)

Kris Kristofferson as Noble Adams, a tracker lured out of retirement by an old friend in The Tracker (1988)