The Deadly Trackers (1973)

A Sheriff, who negotiates with bank robbers, ends up getting his family killed during their escape. The Sheriff chases the gang into Mexico on his own. While attempting to exact his vengeance, he is at odds with a Mexican lawman.

Directors:

Barry Shear, Samuel Fuller (uncredited)

Writers:

Samuel Fuller (story "Riata"), Lukas Heller

Stars:

Richard Harris, Rod Taylor, Al Lettieri

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Harris	...	Sheriff Sean Kilpatrick
Rod Taylor	...	Frank Brand
Al Lettieri	...	Gutierrez, Mexican Policeman
Neville Brand	...	Choo Choo
William Smith	...	Schoolboy
Paul Benjamin	...	Jacob
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.	...	Herrero
Isela Vega	...	Maria
Kelly Jean Peters	...	Katharine Kilpatrick
William Bryant	...	Deputy Bill (as Bill Bryant)
Sean Marshall	...	Kevin Kilpatrick
Read Morgan	...	Deputy Bob
Joan Swift	...	Teacher
Ray Moyer	...	Priest
Armando Acosta	...	Mole

Storyline

Sheriff Sean Kilpatrick believes guns result in gun solutions to problems. Frank Brand is the leader of a band of bank robbers who have no problem with killing anyone in their way. When their paths cross Kilpatrick's attempt to negotiate results in the death of his family during the escape. Kilpatrick goes against everything he has stood for when he crosses into Mexico to chase Brand and his gang. He demonstrates some violent tendencies towards the criminals and anyone else he comes across in his hunt to kill the gang. His behavior is not very heroic. He is challenged by a Mexican Sheriff interested only in carrying out the law - not vengeance.

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Plot Keywords:

spaghetti western | sheriff | pacifist | opening action scene | shootout in a church | 

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Taglines:

The sheriff fought for peace. Now he would kill for vengeance.

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Samuel Fuller was going to direct, he wanted Terence Stamp for the Rod Taylor part.

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Goofs

When Jacob is fleecing Choo-Choo at cards, he plays with an Ace of Clubs, an Ace of Diamonds, and a Queen. When Choo-Choo picks a card, it is the Ace of Spades, and the Spade on the card is much larger than the other symbols. Since Jacob can manipulate the cards so that Choo-Choo always loses, this might be intentional. When Choo-Choo realizes he lost, we then see all three cards face-down. When they are turned over, only aces are shown, no queen.

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Alternate Versions

The original UK cinema version was heavily cut by the BBFC to edit blows and punches from fight scenes, closeups of bloodied faces and a gunshot to a man's groin. The 1988 Warner video release featured the same cut print.

User Reviews

Begins and ends with a bang

See it – Kind of "trippy" in parts, which is to be expected for a western made during the 70's. But this one's exciting, action-packed, violent, and stars the talented Richard Harris. Harris is possibly the most underrated actor in film history. In this western classic, he plays an Irish sheriff who goes after a band of outlaws who have murdered his family. He tracks them down one by one seeking revenge. The movie starts out uniquely with the first few minutes of the film's dialogue accompanied by a slideshow of pictures. Then, the first gunfight explodes onto the screen and the pace never lets up until the end. This tragic movie is definitely not a feel-good story. But it begins and ends with a bang. 3.5 out of 5 action rating.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Riata

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine Films Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1