The Stalking Moon

Main Plot

"The Stalking Moon," directed by Robert Mulligan, is a Western drama that follows Sam Varner, a retired Army scout, who encounters a woman named Sarah Carver and her half-Apache son, after rescuing them from captivity. Sarah pleads for Sam's help to escape the relentless pursuit of her son's father, Salvaje, a fierce and vengeful Apache warrior. Sam reluctantly agrees to take them to his secluded ranch, hoping to provide them with safety and a new start. However, Salvaje's relentless pursuit leads to a tense and suspenseful showdown. The film explores themes of survival, protection, and the clash between different worlds, set against the backdrop of the rugged American frontier.

Characters

• Gregory Peck plays Sam Varner, a retired army scout who helps a woman and her half-Apache son escape from a vengeful Apache warrior.
• Eva Marie Saint plays Sarah Carver, a woman fleeing from her Native American captors, seeking protection for herself and her son from a retired Army scout.
• Robert Forster plays Nick Tana, a scout who assists Sam Varner in protecting a woman and her son from an Apache warrior seeking revenge.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "The Stalking Moon," directed by Robert Mulligan, the film reaches a tense climax as the relentless Apache warrior, Salvaje, closes in on his prey. Sam Varner, a retired Army scout played by Gregory Peck, has taken in Sarah Carver (Eva Marie Saint) and her half-Apache son, after they escape from captivity. Salvaje, the boy's father, is determined to reclaim his son and will stop at nothing to achieve this. The final confrontation occurs at Sam's remote ranch. Salvaje, using his tracking skills, manages to infiltrate the property. A deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues between Sam and Salvaje. Sam, utilizing his experience and knowledge of the terrain, sets up a series of traps and ambushes. The tension peaks as the two men engage in a brutal fight. Ultimately, Sam's cunning and determination prevail, and he kills Salvaje, ensuring the safety of Sarah and her son. The film concludes with a sense of hard-won peace and the promise of a new beginning for Sam, Sarah, and the boy, free from the shadow of Salvaje's relentless pursuit.