Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground

Year: 1983

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles B. Pierce

DramaWestern

A mountain man and his Native American wife finish an unfinished cabin, unaware it sits on a sacred Paiute burial ground. When a Paiute burial party confronts them, the wife is mortally wounded during childbirth. Desperate for a wet‑nurse, the husband abducts a grieving Paiute mother, igniting a brutal clash reminiscent of a modern Helen of Troy.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Sacred Ground 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 – Sacred Ground (1983)

Trace every key event in Sacred Ground (1983) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

A perilous crossing into Paiute country

Matt Colter, a mountain man, travels the Great Divide with his Native bride Little Doe. They cross paths with a Paiute party and are watched by Wannetta. Ostracized by both white and Native communities, they are forced to leave their former lives and search for a new home.

1861 Great Divide
2

Trading post warning and shifting path

Seeking safety, they reach a trading post where the owner warns them about Paiute country. He urges caution as they continue their journey. With the warning, they press onward into dangerous territory.

1861 Trading Post
3

The cabin ruins and a rebuilt home

After crossing a river they discover the ruins of a cabin and decide to rebuild it. They make this shelter their home in the wilderness. The act marks a tentative settlement for their fragile family.

1861 River crossing / Cabin ruins
4

Little Doe's pregnancy and burial-ground revelation

As seasons pass, Matt affectionately pats Little Doe's belly, for she is pregnant. Little Doe reveals that bones found near their shelter are Paiute burial ground remains, and that spirits surround her and their unborn child. The risk of desecration hangs over their growing family.

1861 Cabin + Paiute burial ground
5

Paiute call and labor begins

A Paiute party arrives and calls on Matt; communication fails due to language barriers. Inside the cabin, Little Doe goes into labor, adding urgency to the tense moment. The threat of attack hangs overhead.

1861 Cabin
6

Attack and the cabin's destruction

The Paiutes attack and destroy the cabin with Little Doe inside. Matt pulls her from the wreck and carries her to the river as warriors look on. On the burial ground, Paiute women lay the dead on scaffolds and sing, while Matt and Little Doe's newborn begins to cry.

1861 Cabin vicinity / Sacred burial ground
7

Newfound father and a loyal stranger

Matt leaves with his newborn and meets a lone mountain man who urges him to feed the child. The man’s harsh pragmatism clashes with Matt’s resolve to protect his son. Together, they press on through the unforgiving frontier.

1861 Wilderness trail
8

Wannetta’s child dies and a wet-nurse plan

Wannetta has recently had a child, but it dies. Matt and the reckless mountain man kidnap Wannetta to use as a wet nurse, and she bonds with the baby while nursing him in the harsh wild. The arrangement underscores the frontier’s moral complexity.

1861 Wilderness / Mountain man’s domain
9

Coerced loyalty and Wannetta’s capture

The Paiute war party signals Wannetta to kill the mountain man's horse so they will be forced to travel on foot. She refuses, showing defiance, but is eventually kidnapped by the Paiute war party. Her fate becomes entwined with the tribe's volatile politics.

1861 Paiute encampment
10

Wannetta is banished from the tribe

Wannetta is banished from the Paiute tribe for disobedience, stripped of her furs, and told to leave. The community erupts in scorn as rocks are hurled and voices rise in anger. Her isolation marks a painful turn in the frontier saga.

1861 Paiute settlement
11

Colter seeks aid from Lum Witcher

Determined to find his son, Colter seeks help from his friend, the seasoned mountain man Lum Witcher. The plan hinges on gathering allies and following leads through the backcountry. A new search party begins to take shape.

1861 Lum Witcher’s domain / Backcountry
12

A frontier vow: continuing the search

With Lum Witcher by his side, Colter commits to locating his son despite the dangers. The narrative closes on a note of perseverance and uncertain hope as the frontier endurance road stretches ahead. His voyage to reunite with his child is only beginning.

1861 Frontier

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:29

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 Sacred Ground

Don't stop at just watching — explore Sacred Ground 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 Sacred Ground is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Sacred Ground Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Sacred Ground, 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.

Sacred Ground Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sacred Ground

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Sacred Ground. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sacred Ground

More About Sacred Ground

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Sacred Ground: 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 Sacred Ground

Similar Movies to Sacred Ground

Discover movies like Sacred Ground that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.