Eagle’s Wing

Eagle’s Wing

Year: 1979

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: English

Director: Anthony Harvey

WesternDrama

A gritty portrait of the pre‑mythic West shows an aging Native American and a reckless North‑American trapper racing across antebellum Mexico to capture the legendary stallion Eagle’s Wing. Along the dusty trail they clash with marauding stagecoach travelers and confront garrisoned Mexican soldiers, revealing the brutal reality of frontier life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Eagle’s Wing yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Eagle’s Wing (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Eagle’s Wing (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century

The story takes place during the 19th century, a era of westward expansion and frontier settlement. It features fur traders, stagecoaches, and raiding parties that characterize the volatile dynamics of the period. Life in this era hinges on improvised survival, harsh climates, and the constant threat of violence.

Location

American Southwest frontier, Hacienda, Desert

Set on the American Southwest frontier, the action unfolds along a dusty stagecoach route and around a remote hacienda. The landscape is arid and unforgiving, with long stretches of desert that test endurance and resolve. The Hacienda serves as a social anchor for the survivors and a symbol of civilization amid chaos.

🗺️ Frontier 🏜️ Desert 🚶‍♂️ Travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Main Characters – Eagle’s Wing (1979)

Meet the key characters of Eagle’s Wing (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Pike (Martin Sheen)

A lone traveler whose fortune turns after saving the white stallion from ritual slaughter. He navigates a treacherous landscape with skill and stubborn determination, chasing the horse and the survivors across the frontier. His sense of duty clashes with the ruthlessness around him, leaving him ultimately defeated and alone.

⚔️ Relentless 🧭 Resourceful 🐎 Experienced horseman

White Bull (Sam Waterston)

A war party leader who seizes the coach's valuables, the passengers, and a white girl. He embodies calculation and ruthlessness, using speed and greed to dominate the pursuit. His quest for wealth drives the four-way chase and sets a ruthless pace for the conflict.

🔥 Ruthless 🧭 Calculating 🐎 Horseman

The Widow (Stéphane Audran)

A wealthy passenger returning to her family's hacienda, she becomes a focal point amid the chaos. Her calm and composure conceal a will to survive and protect the fortunes she carries. She serves as a catalyst for the pursuit, drawing attention from raiders and rescuers alike.

💎 Wealthy 🧭 Composed 🛡️ Resilient

The Young Girl (Cecilia Camacho)

An innocent passenger abducted by White Bull, she embodies vulnerability amid frontier violence. Her fate anchors the stakes of the chase and stands as a symbol of what is at risk in the struggle for the stallion and treasure. Her presence motivates rescue efforts and protective actions from others.

👧 Innocent 🕊️ Vulnerable 🌟 Symbolic

The Priest (John Castle)

A passenger who rides the coach and acts to alert the hacienda, his courage helps set the rescue plan in motion. He represents piety and duty amid chaos, a moral compass in a world of greed and violence. His actions highlight the thin line between salvation and catastrophe on the frontier.

🙏 Pious 🧭 Dutiful 🕯️ Moral compass

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Major Themes – Eagle’s Wing (1979)

Explore the central themes of Eagle’s Wing (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Pursuit & Escape

Three parallel plots converge into a four-way chase across a harsh frontier. The pursuit tests endurance, loyalty, and resourcefulness as characters pursue or evade the stallion, jewels, and captives. Alliances shift under pressure, and decisions are driven by survival rather than honor. The pursuit culminates in a stark, unforgiving denouement.

💎 Treasure & Power

A hoard of jewels and a prized white stallion become the central currencies of the conflict. Wealth and status drive the actions of White Bull and influence the fates of those who seek it. The lure of treasure intensifies risk, greed, and competition, elevating personal stakes for every character involved.

💀 Death & Ritual

The Medicine Man's accidental death during a ritual underscores the fragility of life in the frontier. Violence ripples through the group, shifting loyalties and escalating the chase. The encounter with death deepens the moral ambiguity of characters and accelerates the transformation of their goals.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Eagle’s Wing

Don't stop at just watching — explore Eagle’s Wing in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Eagle’s Wing is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Eagle’s Wing Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Eagle’s Wing, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Eagle’s Wing Summary

Eagle’s Wing Timeline

Track the full timeline of Eagle’s Wing with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Eagle’s Wing Timeline

More About Eagle’s Wing

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Eagle’s Wing: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Eagle’s Wing