Keeping Track (1987) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Two witnesses uncover a Cold War technology conspiracy and destroy its prize before it can trigger global conflict.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Murder On The Night Train

Daniel and Mickey witness a five-million-dollar briefcase theft, a murder, and a shooting outside the train. They recover the lost briefcase amid the violence.

Key Events

• Night Train Journey — Daniel and Mickey are traveling on a Canadian train at night. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canadian train
• Briefcase Theft — Daniel and Mickey witness the theft of a briefcase containing five million dollars. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canadian train
• Train Murder — The witnesses also see a murder during the train robbery. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canadian train
• Gunfire Outside — A later shooting occurs outside the train. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Outside the train
• Recovered Briefcase — The thief loses the briefcase during the shooting, allowing Daniel and Mickey to recover it. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Outside the train

Silenced By Authority

The Canadian government suppresses the train story and interferes with Daniel's news channel. Pursued and endangered, the two witnesses are forced to investigate independently.

Key Events

• Government Censorship — The Canadian government suppresses reports about the train events. Characters: Daniel Hawkins Location: News channel
• Broadcast Interference — Government interference prevents Hawkins's channel from broadcasting the story. Characters: Daniel Hawkins Location: News channel
• Dangerous Pursuit — Daniel and Mickey are pursued and placed in mortal danger. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Spy Agencies Involved — They discover that the KGB, CIA, and RCMP are connected to the mystery. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Independent Investigation — Using the recovered money, Daniel and Mickey investigate the conspiracy on their own. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada

The Chip Behind The Money

Their investigation links the money to a unique organic chip created by a mysteriously dead American inventor. They uncover the involvement of the KGB, CIA, and RCMP.

Key Events

• Inventor's Death — They learn that an American inventor created a unique revolutionary organic chip and died mysteriously. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Chip's Strategic Value — The unique chip could provide a decisive weapons advantage to whoever possesses it. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Briefcase's True Purpose — They discover that the stolen money was payment for obtaining the chip. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Soviet Origin Revealed — The chip originally belonged to the Soviets and became central to superpower rivalry. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Possessor's Motive — The current possessor wants to sell the chip to the highest bidder. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada

A Sale That Risks War

The chip's current possessor seeks the highest price and prefers selling to the Russians. Daniel and Mickey realize that the technology could give one superpower a decisive weapons advantage.

Key Events

• Possible Inventor Murder — They suspect the inventor's assistant may have killed him to steal and uniquely market the chip. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Contacting The Seller — Daniel and Mickey use the money to contact the chip's current possessor. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Russian Sale — The possessor chooses to sell the chip to the Russians as the less risky option. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Traitor Arrest Arranged — Daniel and Mickey ensure that the possessor is arrested for treason by American and Canadian authorities. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada

Destroying The Prize

Daniel and Mickey arrange the possessor's arrest, then destroy the chip while both sides are present. The opposing powers accept the decision and allow them to leave together.

Key Events

• Superpowers Converge — Daniel and Mickey face the consequences of the chip's presence as Soviet forces also arrive. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: The meeting place
• Chip Destroyed — Daniel and Mickey destroy the chip in the presence of both opposing sides. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: The meeting place
• Reluctant Acceptance — Both sides reluctantly accept the destruction and recognize that it was the correct decision. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: The meeting place
• Return To Normal Life — The opposing sides leave Daniel and Mickey free to return to normal life. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Canada
• Recovery Vacation — After everything is settled, Daniel and Mickey leave together on vacation. Characters: Daniel Hawkins, Mickey Tremaine Location: Vacation destination

Story Breakdown

• Night Train Witnesses — Daniel and Mickey become connected through a violent train robbery.
  • Briefcase Theft — They witness the theft of five million dollars.
  • Train Murder — A murder and later shooting make the incident deadly.
• Recovered Money — The lost briefcase becomes the practical key to their investigation.
  • Shooting Aftermath — The thief loses the briefcase during the shooting.
  • Independent Investigation — Daniel and Mickey use the money to pursue answers.
• Government Suppression — Official interference prevents the witnesses from reporting what happened.
  • Canadian Censorship — The government suppresses news about the events.
  • Blocked Broadcast — Daniel's news channel is prevented from airing the story.
• Cold War Conspiracy — The investigation expands into a conflict involving rival intelligence organizations.
  • Agency Involvement — The KGB, CIA, and RCMP are connected to the mystery.
  • Soviet Connection — The chip is revealed to have originally belonged to the Soviets.
• Organic Chip — A unique technology explains the money, the murder, and the international struggle.
  • Inventor's Death — The American inventor dies mysteriously.
  • Weapons Advantage — The chip could give its possessor decisive military superiority.
• Dangerous Transaction — The current possessor tries to sell the chip to the highest bidder.
  • Russian Buyer — The possessor prefers selling the chip to the Russians.
  • Treason Arrest — Daniel and Mickey arrange the possessor's arrest for treason.
• World War Prevented — The protagonists choose destruction over allowing either superpower to obtain the chip.
  • Chip Destruction — Daniel and Mickey destroy the chip before both sides.
  • Peaceful Departure — The opposing sides accept the outcome and let them leave.
• Shared Recovery — After the conspiracy ends, Daniel and Mickey begin a life beyond the crisis.
  • Return To Normal — Both are allowed to resume their ordinary lives.
  • Vacation Together — They leave together on vacation to recover.

Directed by

Robin Spry

Key Cast

• Michael Sarrazin — Daniel Hawkins
• Margot Kidder — Mickey Tremaine
• Alan Scarfe — Royle Wishart
• Ken Pogue — Capt. McCullough
• John Boylan — Double Agent Kleelyov