Stranger on My Land

Stranger on My Land

Year: 1988

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry Elikann

TV MovieDramaWestern

A Vietnam veteran has to fight peacefully with words once more when the Air Force wants to expropriate his ranch for the construction of an air base.

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Timeline & Setting – Stranger on My Land (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Stranger on My Land (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Vietnam War era (1960s–1970s)

The events unfold during the broader Vietnam War era, when military decisions and government projects encroach on rural life. The urgency of impending eminent domain and the looming ground freeze frame the timeline, pressuring quick legal and physical confrontations. The era's tensions drive residents to fight to keep their land and defend their livelihoods.

Location

Chinook Ranch, Vietnam

Chinook Ranch is a sprawling cattle ranch that serves as the central setting for the family’s fight. The story begins with the war’s aftermath spilling into civilian life, as land declared unsafe becomes the battleground for eminent domain. The public road, the house, and the wilds around the ranch become stages for clashes between residents, government agents, and the marshal.

🏞️ Rural setting ⚖️ Legal conflict 💥 War impact

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Main Characters – Stranger on My Land (1988)

Meet the key characters of Stranger on My Land (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bud Whitman (Tommy Lee Jones)

A war-hardened veteran who returns to Chinook Ranch only to find his family and land threatened by eminent domain. He is fiercely protective, impulsive, and willing to take dangerous actions to defend his home. His experiences in combat influence his responses to the attack, driving the confrontation forward.

🏞️ Rancher 🪖 Veteran 🛡️ Tenacious

Annie Whitman (Dee Wallace)

Bud’s partner and moral compass in the struggle. She anchors the family under pressure, seeking lawful resolution while supporting Bud’s defense. Her pleas and resolve help to humanize the conflict amid escalating violence.

👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏻 Partner 🕊️ Peacemaker 🧭 Supportive

Vern Whitman (Ben Johnson)

Bud’s relative who becomes a casualty when Priest’s forces shoot him. His death intensifies the family’s resolve and the community’s fury, underscoring the real human cost. The loss fuels the confrontation and personal stakes in the land dispute.

🧱 Family member ⚔️ Casualty 🕯️ Mourning

Connie Priest (Terry O’Quinn)

County surveyor and antagonist who leads the assault to remove the family from the land. He embodies the aggressive approach of bureaucratic power, pushing his terms and escalating violence. His actions culminate in a fatal confrontation with the marshal.

🏗️ Antagonist 🧭 Authority ⚔️ Confrontation

Judge Munson (Pat Hingle)

The judge who confirms the eminent domain order, acting as the legal authority that enables the government’s project. His presence ties the courtroom to the battlefield, highlighting the legal framework behind dispossession.

⚖️ Judge 🧑‍⚖️ Authority 📜 Legal process

Rounder (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Bud’s ally who arrives to help in the struggle, representing a support network for the family under escalating pressure. His involvement adds an additional layer of risk and resource to the defense.

🪖 Ally 🧷 Outsider 🧭 Support

Gillian (Natalie Gregory)

Gillian, a local figure who participates in the community’s response during the dispute. Her presence intersects with the family’s endurance and the larger social dynamics around the land conflict.

👧 Family member 🏞️ Local 🗣️ Witness

Maj. Walters (Richard Anderson)

Military officer who represents the government’s project oversight. His presence signals the martial, command-driven environment surrounding the eviction and the execution of the eminent domain order.

🎖️ Military 🧭 Authority 🗺️ Oversight

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Major Themes – Stranger on My Land (1988)

Explore the central themes of Stranger on My Land (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Land conflict

A core thread is the battle over land ownership as the government seeks to extend an Air Force base. The Witman family resists lawful dispossession and faces legal hurdles, intimidation, and violence. The film examines how power, law, and personal stake collide when property becomes a battleground.

🪖 War’s reach

Bud’s combat past haunts the present as violence from the battlefield leaks into civilian life. Trauma and survival instincts shape decisions, and the line between protector and aggressor blurs. The story shows how the remnants of war complicate peaceful resolution.

❤️ Family loyalty

The Whitman family clings to each other in the face of external pressure. Annie’s counsel and Bud’s stubborn defense of their home reveal the strength and flaws within familial bonds. Sacrifice and persistence underscore the fight to stay together on familiar land.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

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Unlock the Full Story of Stranger on My Land

Don't stop at just watching — explore Stranger on My Land 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 Stranger on My Land is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Stranger on My Land Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stranger on My Land, 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.

Stranger on My Land Summary

Stranger on My Land Timeline

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Stranger on My Land Timeline

More About Stranger on My Land

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