Year: 1976
Runtime: 126 min
Language: English
Director: Arthur Penn
On the wild Missouri frontier, cattle rustler Tom Logan seeks retribution against wealthy landowner David Braxton. Logan’s gang initiates a series of horse thefts, prompting Braxton to hire the mysterious and deadly sharpshooter Robert E. Lee Clayton. Clayton is tasked with stopping Logan and his men, leading to a dangerous and relentless pursuit across the untamed landscape.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Missouri Breaks (1976) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the rugged expanse of the Missouri Breaks during the 1880s, the land stretches thin between river and prairie, each horizon a reminder of both untamed freedom and relentless hardship. The raw, windswept environment shapes a world where law is as fickle as the weather, and survival depends on a blend of grit, wits, and a touch of bravado. The film’s tone is a restless mix of stark western realism and dry, almost mischievous humor, letting the open landscape breathe life into every spoken word and uneasy glance.
At the heart of this frontier is Tom Logan, a charismatic outlaw whose reputation is as notorious as his smile is disarming. Leading a tightly‑knit band of fellow adventurers, he balances a roguish charm with a simmering desire for vengeance that colors his every decision. Logan’s presence commands attention, his confidence both a shield and a spark that draws those around him into a dance of loyalty and danger, hinting at deeper motives that reach beyond simple survival.
Opposite him stands David Braxton, a wealthy landowner whose influence spreads across the same plains Logan roams. Braxton embodies the settled, measured side of the frontier, wielding authority and resources that set him apart from the wandering folk. His interactions with Logan hint at a fragile equilibrium, as the clash of their worlds promises tension that the open sky can barely contain.
Adding a foreboding edge to the chase is Robert E. Lee Clayton, a mysterious sharpshooter whose reputation precedes him like a whisper in the wind. Hired to confront Logan’s growing unrest, Clayton moves through the landscape with an unsettling precision, his enigmatic demeanor suggesting a personal code that may be as unforgiving as the terrain itself. As these three forces converge, the stage is set for a relentless pursuit where the vast, unforgiving wilderness becomes both arena and arbiter of their intertwined fates.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:15
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories of obsessive hunters and their prey in a lawless, untamed landscape.Explore movies like The Missouri Breaks that feature a tense, high-stakes chase between hunter and hunted on a lawless frontier. These films share a gritty, atmospheric vibe, a dark tone, and a steady pace leading to a heavy, often bittersweet conclusion. If you liked the cat-and-mouse dynamic and brutal justice of The Missouri Breaks, you'll find similar titles here.
Narratives in this thread typically center on a cycle of violence sparked by a transgression, leading to the hiring or emergence of a deadly specialist. The plot follows the methodical hunt, often involving infiltration and psychological warfare, as the pursuer systematically dismantles the opponent's world. The journey is marked by moral ambiguity and culminates in a final, costly confrontation.
Movies are grouped here because they share a core premise of a professional or obsessive hunt in a frontier setting. They have a similarly high intensity, dark tone, and steady pacing that builds tension. The shared mood of grit, tension, and ruthlessness, along with themes of frontier justice and moral collapse, creates a cohesive viewing experience.
Stories where achieving a goal comes at a profound personal price.Discover movies like The Missouri Breaks where the main character achieves their goal but at a great personal cost, leading to a bittersweet or hollow victory. These films often have a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and explore themes of revenge and sacrifice. If you appreciated the poignant ending of The Missouri Breaks, you'll find similar emotionally complex stories here.
The narrative pattern involves a character embarking on a driven, often vengeful path. They overcome the external antagonist but are irrevocably changed by the journey. The climax is not a pure triumph but a Pyrrhic victory, where the protagonist must abandon their previous life, relationships, or innocence, leaving them isolated despite their success.
These movies are united by their exploration of the true cost of ambition and revenge. They share a heavy emotional weight and a bittersweet or bleak ending feel. The combination of high-intensity conflict with a concluding tone of melancholy and loss creates a specific, resonant emotional arc for the viewer.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Missouri Breaks 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 The Missouri Breaks is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Missouri Breaks, 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.
Track the full timeline of The Missouri Breaks with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Missouri Breaks. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Missouri Breaks: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Missouri Breaks 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.
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