Year: 1988
Runtime: 98 mins
Language: English
Director: John Guillermin
Noble Adams, a tracker who believed his violent past was over, is drawn from retirement when a gang led by the ruthless ‘Red Jack’ Stilwell launches brutal crimes. He brings his son Tom along, exposing the boy to the ruthless world Noble tried to leave behind, and together they pursue a relentless hunt, blurring justice and vengeance.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Tracker (1988) 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 harsh, open expanse of the post‑civil war frontier, a man who once walked the line between scout and soldier seeks a quieter life far from the echo of gunfire. Noble Adams has retired to a modest farm, hoping the wide skies will heal the wounds left by years of conflict and the tragic loss of his wife. The land is unforgiving, the silence of the plains a stark contrast to the clamor of his former world, and yet it offers him the chance to redefine what a life of purpose might look like when the battles are no longer his to fight.
Living with his two‑year‑old son, Tom Adams grows up far from the frontier’s dust, educated on the East Coast and trained in the law. When he returns to his father’s homestead, his bright optimism and modern sensibilities clash with the gritty, self‑reliant ethos that Noble has cultivated. Their bond is rooted in love and duty, but the distance between a frontier veteran’s code and a young lawyer’s ideals creates an undercurrent of tension that promises both growth and conflict.
That fragile peace is shattered when an old comrade calls Noble back into action. A ruthless gang, led by the infamous Red Jack Stilwell, rides across the territory, leaving fear in its wake and forcing the retired tracker to confront the part of himself he thought he had left behind. The summons pulls Noble and Tom into a reluctant partnership, pitting father’s hardened experience against son’s yearning to prove himself, and setting the stage for a chase that will test the limits of their resolve.
Against a backdrop of soaring mesas, relentless wind, and the ever‑present scent of danger, the film sways between stark realism and mythic western grit. The hunt becomes more than a simple pursuit—it is a meditation on justice, vengeance, and the uneasy legacy a father leaves for his son. As the two men navigate the blurred lines of duty and morality, the audience is drawn into a world where every shadow could conceal the next trial, and the true enemy may be the darkness within themselves.
Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:51
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 high-stakes, steady chases across unforgiving terrain.If you enjoyed the relentless pursuit in The Tracker, you'll find similar high-stakes chases here. This collection features movies with a steady pace, high intensity, and a dark tone, where characters are pushed to their limits in harsh settings. Explore more gritty action and western stories with a focus on determined hunts.
The narrative typically follows a linear, goal-oriented structure centered on a pursuit. Obstacles are both external—the environment and the enemy—and internal, as characters confront their own limits and motives. Escalating confrontations build tension towards a final, costly resolution.
These films are grouped by their core focus on a relentless chase, shared dark and gritty tone, and the heavy emotional toll exacted by the journey. They create a coherent experience of endurance and high-stakes conflict.
Bittersweet tales where violent duty strains and defines a family bond.Fans of The Tracker's exploration of a father-son relationship tested by violence will appreciate these films. Discover stories where a shared, dangerous journey forces a young protagonist to grow up quickly, dealing with heavy themes of legacy, sacrifice, and loss of innocence. Find more emotionally weighty dramas with similar character dynamics.
The narrative pattern involves a forced partnership between an experienced, often world-weary father figure and his less-experienced son or protégé. The central conflict arises from clashing worldviews—the father's hardened pragmatism versus the son's idealism or reluctance. The journey serves as a crucible, forcing growth and a painful understanding, often at a great personal cost.
These movies are united by their deep focus on the complex father-son dynamic within a high-stakes, violent context. They share a heavy emotional weight, a bittersweet tone, and themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the loss of innocence.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Tracker 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 Tracker is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Tracker, 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 Tracker 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 Tracker. 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 Tracker: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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