The Stalking Moon (1968)

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Alvin Sargent (screenplay)
Wendell Mayes (adaptation)

Release Date:

15 February 1969 (Sweden)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

When an army scout retires to a farm in New Mexico he takes pity on a white woman and her half-breed son recently rescued from indians...

Plot Keywords:

Half Breed | Son | Apache Indian | Male Female Relationship | One Man Army

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Gregory Peck	...	Sam Varner
Eva Marie Saint	...	Sarah Carver
Robert Forster	...	Nick Tana
Noland Clay	...	Boy
Russell Thorson	...	Ned
Frank Silvera	...	Major
Lonny Chapman	...	Purdue
Lou Frizzell	...	Stationmaster (as Lou Frizell)
Henry Beckman	...	Sgt. Rudabaugh
Charles Tyner	...	Dace
Richard Bull	...	Doctor
Sandy Brown Wyeth	...	Rachel (as Sandy Wyeth)
Joaquín Martínez	...	Julio (as Joaquin Martinez)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan	...	Stage Driver Shelby (as Red Morgan)
Nathaniel Narcisco	...	Salvaje

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:G | Iceland:16 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, USA

Company:

National General Production Inc.

Goofs:

Factual errors: A young boy spends almost the entire film walking across the mountains for days, then, when he puts his feet up in one shot the bottoms of his moccasins are neither soiled or worn but look brand new.

Quotes:

Sarah Carver: I didn't have the courage to die. I knew what I had to do to stay alive.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Reflections of Evil (2002)

Half Western , Half Thriller, Sparse Dialogue and Spectacular Scenery

Not even listed as one of Gregory Peck's better films, I consider this to be one of the most exciting Westerns I have ever seen. The Stalking Moon, Jeremiah Johnson, High Noon,.. all three are Western Classics.

The movie begins slowly but the sense of foreboding builds throughout the film as Sam and his adopted family wait for the inevitable. Eva Marie Saint portrays an abused woman with spare dignity and understated grace, the little boy is great and Gregory Peck is a formidable presence, growing stronger in character and determination as his feelings for the woman and her son develop. Nathaniel Narsisco, as the Stalker is realistically and excruciatingly frightening as he silently tracks his prey.

Although almost 40 years old the movie holds up well even when compared to films like Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven.I have just read Roger Ebert's condemnation of this film and cannot believe that he and I differ so greatly as to its relative merits. How ever this is the man who loved "over the top" Donald Pleasance in "Will Penny" so one should not be surprised.