Harry Tracy, Desperado
Encyclopedia
Harry Tracy, Desperado is a 1982 Canadian drama
/western film. It was directed by William A. Graham
, and filmed on-location in Historical Barkerville, British Columbia. My Love to You was sung by Gordon Lightfoot.
, the Sundance Kid, John Wesley Hardin
, and virtually all of the Old West's legendary outlaw
s are either dead or in jail pending execution-all of them, that is, except train robber and escape artist extraordinaire, Harry Tracy
(Dern). As the last survivor of the Wild Bunch
, Tracy pulls off a series of profitable robberies before making his way west to Portland, Oregon
, in search of Catherine Tuttle (Shaver), a judge's daughter who has captured his heart. Instead, Tracy is betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned. But no jail can hold him for long. After making his escape, Tracy becomes the target of the largest manhunt
in the history of North America. He seeks out Catherine who joins him in his flight, and their love deepens under the constant threat of capture. With hundreds of posse
s and national guardsmen on their heels, Tracy knows that time is running out-and when it does, there will only be two options: surrender or die.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
/western film. It was directed by William A. Graham
William A. Graham (director)
William A. Graham is an American television and film director.Graham directed episodes of many TV series including The Fugitive, Twelve O'Clock High, The Big Valley, Batman and Ironside...
, and filmed on-location in Historical Barkerville, British Columbia. My Love to You was sung by Gordon Lightfoot.
Plot
By the end of the 19th century, Butch CassidyButch Cassidy
Robert LeRoy Parker , better known as Butch Cassidy, was a notorious American train robber, bank robber, and leader of the Wild Bunch Gang in the American Old West...
, the Sundance Kid, John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin was an American outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk hero of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the...
, and virtually all of the Old West's legendary outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s are either dead or in jail pending execution-all of them, that is, except train robber and escape artist extraordinaire, Harry Tracy
Harry Tracy
Harry Tracy was an outlaw in the closing days of the Old West. His real name was Harry Severns.He is said to have run with Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang, and by the time he'd reached adulthood he was actively taking part in acts of robbery and theft...
(Dern). As the last survivor of the Wild Bunch
Wild Bunch
The Wild Bunch, also known as the Doolin–Dalton Gang or the Oklahombres, was a gang of outlaws based in the Indian Territory that terrorized Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma Territory during the 1890s—robbing banks and stores, holding up trains, and killing lawmen. They were...
, Tracy pulls off a series of profitable robberies before making his way west to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, in search of Catherine Tuttle (Shaver), a judge's daughter who has captured his heart. Instead, Tracy is betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned. But no jail can hold him for long. After making his escape, Tracy becomes the target of the largest manhunt
Manhunt (law enforcement)
In law enforcement, a manhunt is a search for a dangerous fugitive involving the use of all available police units and technology and sometimes help from the public....
in the history of North America. He seeks out Catherine who joins him in his flight, and their love deepens under the constant threat of capture. With hundreds of posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
s and national guardsmen on their heels, Tracy knows that time is running out-and when it does, there will only be two options: surrender or die.
Recognition
- 1983
- Genie Award for Best Achievement in Film Editing - Ron Wisman - Nominated
- Genie Award for Best Achievement in Overall SoundGenie Award for Best Achievement in Overall SoundThe Genie Award for Best Achievement in Overall Sound is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian sound designer.-1st Genie Awards:* Karl Scherer, Austin Grimaldi, Dino Pigat, Joe Grimaldi, The Changeling...
- Rod Haykin, David Appleby, Don WhiteDon WhiteDon White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer...
- Nominated - Genie Award for Best Achievement in Sound EditingGenie Award for Best Achievement in Sound EditingThe Genie Award for Best Achievement in Sound Editing is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian sound editor.-16th Genie Awards:...
- Bruce Carwardine, Brian FrenchBrian FrenchBrian French is Production Manager for Smokey Robinson and co-produced Robinson's album Timeless Love and current "Time Flies When You're Having Fun" and "Now And Then". French is the President of Tempo Entertainment, a company the specializes in Live Music Production, Video Production, Film and...
, Glen Gauthier, Tim Roberts, Brian Rosen - Genie Award for Best Motion PictureGenie Award for Best Motion PictureThe Genie Award for Best Motion Picture is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian motion picture.-1st Genie Awards:*The Changeling *Cordélia...
- Ronald I. Cohen - Nominee - Genie Award for Best Original Song - Leslie Pouliot - Nominee
- Genie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign ActorGenie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign ActorThe Genie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign Actor was awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television from 1980 to 1983, for the best performance by non-Canadian actor in a Canadian film....
- Bruce DernBruce DernBruce MacLeish Dern is an American film actor. He also appeared as a guest star in numerous television shows. He frequently takes roles as a character actor, often playing unstable and villainous characters...
- Nominated - Genie Award for Best Original Screenplay - David Lee Henry - Nominated