Trackdown (1976)

When his sister Betsy packs up and leaves the family's Montana cattle ranch to find fame and fortune in Hollywood, her brother Jim decides to follow after her to make sure she doesn't get ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard T. Heffron

Writers:

Paul F. Edwards, Ivan Nagy (story)

Stars:

James Mitchum, Karen Lamm, Anne Archer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Mitchum	...	Jim Calhoun
Karen Lamm	...	Betsy Calhoun
Anne Archer	...	Barbara
Erik Estrada	...	Chucho
Cathy Lee Crosby	...	Lynn Strong
Vince Cannon	...	Johnny Dee
John Kerry	...	Sergeant Miller
Roberto Rodríguez	...	Feo
Ernie Wheelwright	...	Rosey
Zitto Kazann	...	Curtain
Elisabeth Chauvet	...	Billie
Rafael López	...	Barba
Gilbert De la Pena	...	Chino
Joe La Due	...	Ben (as Joe LaDue)
Ray Sharkey	...	Flash

Storyline

When his sister Betsy packs up and leaves the family's Montana cattle ranch to find fame and fortune in Hollywood, her brother Jim decides to follow after her to make sure she doesn't get into trouble. He's a little too late, however, since almost as soon as she gets off the bus, Betsy has her belongings stolen, then gets kidnapped, gang-raped, and is sold to a pimp to work for him as a prostitute. It is now up to Jim, with help from social worker Lynn, to rescue his sister and set things right.

---

Plot Keywords:

sunset strip | runaway | prostitution | gang rape | forced prostitution | 

---

Taglines:

What if it was your sister?

---

Genres:

Action | Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1976 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Girdap

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essaness Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

---

Soundtracks

I Ain't Got Nobody
Words and Music by Larry Butler and Roger Bowling
Sung by Del Reeves

User Reviews

"I'm a person. Not a hero".

It might paint itself as a rough and tumble, by-the-numbers 70s revenge thriller and for most part it's typically generic in its story's progression, but there are some strong themes and capable performances by its cast led by Jim Mitchum and Cathy Lee Crosby. There's a brutal and downbeat side to some scenarios, but never does it becomes overly exploitative despite its angle on forced prostitution and underground violence. The bad guys are scum… truly scum. Where the seedy backdrop of Los Angeles breeds crime and those people take advantage of young naïve runaways looking to hit it big in LA. Some sequences do pack a punch and the script, while not entirely rounded does do enough to evoke some emotional pull when it comes to the overall payback.

Sixteen year old Betsy Calhoun flees from her Montana ranch heading to Los Angeles, but her dreams soon become a nightmare when she's kidnapped and sold to a prostitution ring. Her older brother Jim heads to Los Angeles to find her, but finds little help until he meets a social worker and a former gang member who knew of his sister's kidnapping.

Jim Mitchum in the lead role is stolid, but fitting with a more psychical performance told through his facials and in doing so making it more effective. You do feel his pain. He shares good chemistry with a head strong Crosby. Half of the film focuses on his search, while the other follows that of Karen Lamm's wholesome turn as Betsy. Watching how she becomes a prostitute, to how she copes with it and the touching relationship she forms with Anne Archer's prostitute character. Some moments do have a disturbing edge. Not unexpected, but they're powerful because there's enough time invested in these characters. So the story moves between different plot arches before all coming together and offering a surprise or so.

The film looks bare-bones and on the cheap, but it remains authentic with its on shot locations and gritty action exchanges. Nothing about the direction really ignites itself, but there are set-pieces that craft out an exciting barrage of vicious violence. Like the intense gunfire jousting involving moving lifts was a nice touch. Its plain look might have that made for TV feel, but it doesn't hurt it. At times it can be slow and talky, but its steady handling keeps to its strengths and never over delivers on the old-hat set-up.

"You know. You're breaking my chops".