THE STALKING MOON

I have only the vaguest memory of seeing THE STALKING MOON when it was released in 1968. I know I saw it at either the Paramount or State Theatre in downtown Austin and I recall that 12-year-old Frank liked it for the suspense/thriller aspects of the story, Gregory Peck going one-on-one against a murderous Apache. 

Peck stars as Sam Varner, an Army scout about to retire after 15 years of service. He's persuaded to accompany white woman Sarah Carver (Eva Marie Saint) and her half-breed son to a safe place. But as the unlikely trio hit the trail, they soon discover that they are being stalked by Salvaje (Nathaniel Narcisco), a much feared hunter who is also the father of Sarah's son. Salvaje kills several people while pursuing Varner and his charges before Varner reaches his ranch in New Mexico. 

There, aided by an old man, Ned (Russell Thorson) and Varner's half breed tracker protégé Nick (Robert Forster), the valiant band stages a last stand against Salvaje. 

Varner takes a beating at the hands of his opponent. He's shot in the shoulder and stabbed in the thigh but he keeps going, fighting the good fight after his other male companions have been killed. 

The last act of the film is tense and suspenseful and extremely well staged by director Robert Mulligan (who previously directed Peck in the American classic TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)). The setting, Charles Lang's  expert camera work, and Fred Karlin's effective score contribute to the success of the cat and mouse sequences. 

Based on a novel by T.V. Olsen, THE STALKING MOON marked the last time the team of producer Alan J. Pakula and director Robert Mulligan worked together. The two went their separate ways with Pakula launching an extremely successful career as a director. 

THE STALKING MOON is an offbeat western that trades heavily on the suspense/thriller tropes for its' narrative engine. Not a great film by any means but a very enjoyable one with first rate talent both in front of and behind the camera. 

Thumbs up.