Crashout

Crashout

Year: 1955

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis R. Foster

Crime

The desperate cry of caged men erupts as Convict Van Duff orchestrates a massive prison break. Six survivors flee to a forgotten mine near the prison, then embark on a perilous trek by foot, car, train and truck to recover Duff’s stolen bank loot. Along the way they cross ordinary lives, each confronting his own destiny.

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Timeline & Setting – Crashout (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Crashout (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Prison, Forgotten mine, Mountaintop

The action unfolds around a prison complex and a forgotten mine shelter where six escapees hide, then trek across harsh terrain toward a distant mountaintop. The locations shift from claustrophobic confines to open, wintry landscapes as the group travels by foot, car, train and truck. The setting emphasizes isolation and danger, heightening the tension of pursuit and betrayal.

🏭 Prison setting 🏔️ Mountainous terrain 🗝️ Abandoned mine

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:29

Main Characters – Crashout (1955)

Meet the key characters of Crashout (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Van Duff (William Bendix)

The wounded, self-serving ringleader who capitalizes on the others’ help to access his hidden loot. He’s calculating and unwilling to share power, yet his physical weakness makes him dependent on others. His later act—killing Swanee in self-defense—narrows down the group and seals a grim fate for the caper.

🪙 Greed 🗡️ Ruthless 🧠 Strategist

Luther Remsen (William Talman)

A reverend-turned-religious fanatic whose instability edges toward madness. His zeal and volatile temper contribute to the group’s peril, culminating in a violent breakdown. He embodies the corrupting influence of fanaticism under pressure.

🔥 Fanatic 🧭 Instability 🗡️ Violent

Pete Mendoza (Luther Adler)

A hardened killer who brings menace and decisive action to the group. He’s quick to commit violence to protect himself and the loot, but is ultimately undone by the journey and law enforcement.

⚔️ Violence 🧱 Hardened 🕯️ Stoic

Monk Collins (Gene Evans)

A tough, loyal enforcer among the escapees. He often acts as muscle, pushing the plan forward even as tensions rise within the group.

💪 Muscle 🧭 Pragmatic 🧯 Alert

Billy Lang (Marshall Thompson)

The naive, younger prisoner who serves as a moral contrast to the hardened criminals. His innocence makes him a potential target and ultimately leads to tragedy as the group disintegrates under pressure.

🎒 Naiveté 🕊️ Innocence 💔 Tragic

Joe Quinn (Arthur Kennedy)

An embezzler whose greed remains a driving force, even when the odds are against him. He schemes to run off with the money and survives the trek by clinging to cunning and resilience.

💼 Cunning 🧭 Opportunist 💰 Loot-motivated

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:29

Major Themes – Crashout (1955)

Explore the central themes of Crashout (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

The stash behind the bank robbery drives the escapees’ journey, turning survival into a race for the money. Loyalty fractures as the promise of wealth corrodes trust, pushing individuals toward treachery and deadly choices. The loot becomes both motive and weapon, shaping each character’s decisions.

🧭 Survival

The six prisoners endure a brutal journey through freezing weather, often making risk-filled choices to stay alive. Each encounter—on the road, with locals, and with the law—tests resolve and resourcefulness. The landscape itself becomes a harsh character, narrowing options and forcing hard decisions.

⚖️ Justice

Law enforcement closes in as the fugitives’ actions collide with societal rules and punishment. The break’s collapse exposes the consequences of crime, from internal mutiny to external pursuit. Ultimately, each survivor faces accountability, whether through capture, death, or confession.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:29

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Crashout Summary

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Crashout Summary

Crashout Timeline

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Crashout Timeline

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