Colt .45

Colt .45

Year: 1950

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Edwin L. Marin

ActionWestern

When the iconic Colt .45 becomes the law of the land, gun dealer Steve Farrell watches his two newly acquired pistols disappear at the hands of the ruthless killer Jason Brett. Determined and vengeful, Farrell sets out to track down Brett and reclaim the prized firearms, sparking a tense showdown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Colt .45 (1950)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Colt .45 (1950). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

Set in the late 1800s American frontier, the story unfolds where rapid-fire technology and frontier justice collide. The town battles lawlessness as a powerful pistol reshapes who can enforce order. The era's rough, vigilante style underpins the characters' choices.

Location

Red Rock, Bonanza Creek

Red Rock is a dusty frontier town that becomes the epicenter of law, outlaws, and gun trade. Its streets host tense confrontations between Farrell, Brett's gang, and a corrupt Sheriff. The surrounding plains and a route to Bonanza Creek frame the action as stagecoaches and hideouts drive the plot.

🏜️ Frontier town 🏚️ Outlaw hideout 🌵 Western landscape

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Main Characters – Colt .45 (1950)

Meet the key characters of Colt .45 (1950), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Steve Farrell (Randolph Scott)

Steve Farrell is a gun salesman who becomes a frontier hero after being implicated in a jail escape. He tracks Jason Brett into Texas and earns the trust of Walking Bear’s tribe. Appointed as a deputy by Sheriff Harris, he fights Brett’s gang with his Colt .45 and strives to protect Beth and restore order.

🎯 Hero 🗡️ Gunfighter 🛡️ Protector

Beth Donovan (Ruth Roman)

Beth Donovan is Paul Donovan's wife who becomes entangled in Brett's criminal plans. She initially doubts Farrell but learns her husband is complicit with the gang. After escaping captivity, she warns Farrell and becomes part of the effort to thwart the outlaws.

💔 Hostage 🤝 Loyal 🕊️ Redemption

Jason Brett (Zachary Scott)

Jason Brett leads the Colt .45 Gang, orchestrating robberies and murder with chilling precision. His weapon of choice and ruthless leadership keep Red Rock under his thumb. His plans collide with Farrell’s pursuit, culminating in a final showdown where his power fades.

🗡️ Villain 💰 Robber 🔥 Ruthless

Paul Donovan (Lloyd Bridges)

Paul Donovan is Beth's husband and a member of Brett's gang. He quietly plots crimes with Brett and manipulates those around him, even attempting to keep Beth in the dark. His duplicity ends when he is found dead, a victim of the gang's own schemes.

🤥 Double Agent 🧭 Corrupt 💣 Manipulator

Sheriff Harris (Alan Hale)

Sheriff Harris is the town lawman who secretly collaborates with Brett, using his authority to shield the gang. He warns them of Farrell's approach and fights to maintain his grip on Red Rock, ultimately meeting a violent end in the sheriff's office.

🤥 Corrupt Sheriff 🛡️ Authority ⚔️ Downfall

Walking Bear (Chief Thundercloud)

Walking Bear is the survivor who guides Farrell and rescues Beth after the ambush. He leads his tribe in aiding the pursuit of Brett and his gang, creating an unlikely alliance that shifts the balance of power.

🪶 Native Ally 🗡️ Warrior 🌿 Nature's Protector

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Major Themes – Colt .45 (1950)

Explore the central themes of Colt .45 (1950), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔫 Armed Power

The Colt .45 is more than a firearm; it changes who wields influence in Red Rock. Weapons determine outcomes, giving criminals and heroes alike a dangerous edge. The narrative hinges on whether technology can restore order or amplify chaos. Farrell's use of the gun is as much about justice as it is about survival.

🤝 Betrayal

Corruption threads through the town as Sheriff Harris collaborates with Brett, blurring lines between law and crime. Beth's evolving allegiance exposes how close trust and deceit sit in a claustrophobic frontier. The characters must decide whom to trust when every ally could be an informant. Betrayal propels the chase and complicates rescue.

🪶 Native Alliance

Walking Bear and his tribe offer crucial aid to Farrell, highlighting a collaboration between settlers and Indigenous people. The alliance shifts the balance of power and introduces a non-western force against the gang. Native presence adds depth to the frontier, showing loyalty can transcend culture. The tribe's intervention helps tilt the final confrontation toward justice.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

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Frontier justice movies like Colt .45

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Fast-paced action Westerns similar to Colt .45

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Narrative Summary

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These films are united by their specific blend of tone and pacing. The combination of a tense atmosphere with a fast, action-driven narrative creates a distinct vibe of urgency and danger. This makes them ideal for viewers looking for exciting, plot-forward Westerns with a gritty edge.

Unlock the Full Story of Colt .45

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Colt .45 Summary

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Colt .45 Summary

Colt .45 Timeline

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Colt .45 Timeline

Colt .45 Spoiler-Free Summary

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Colt .45 Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Colt .45

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