Track of the Cat (film)

Track of the Cat is a 1954 American Western film directed by William A. Wellman, starring Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright, Diana Lynn, and Tab Hunter. Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, the film is notable for its unusual visual style, employing a predominantly black-and-white color scheme with strategically placed splashes of color, primarily red and yellow.

The story revolves around the turbulent and dysfunctional Bridges family living on a remote ranch in the Sierra Nevada mountains. A mysterious mountain lion, described by some as a mythical "painter," is preying on their livestock. Curt Bridges (Robert Mitchum), the stoic and capable middle son, takes on the responsibility of hunting the cat, while dealing with his volatile and domineering older brother, Arthur (Philip Tonge), and his passive, religious mother, Ma Bridges (Beulah Bondi). The film explores themes of family conflict, repressed emotions, and the psychological impact of isolation. The stark landscape and unconventional color palette serve to emphasize the harshness of their environment and the internal struggles of the characters. The family's past and strained relationships are gradually revealed as Curt pursues the elusive cat, leading to a violent and ultimately tragic climax.