Cry for Me, Billy

Cry for Me, Billy

Year: 1972

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: William A. Graham

Western

Drifter falls in love with Native American girl, with tragic results.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cry for Me, Billy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Cry for Me, Billy (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Cry for Me, Billy (1972). 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 during the worn era of the American West, when frontier justice vied with the imperatives of settlement and military authority. The landscape mirrors a society unsettled by conquest, violence, and the clash between soldiers and Indigenous peoples. The time period emphasizes rugged survival and the scarcity of mercy in harsh conditions.

Location

Frontier town and surrounding wilderness, American Southwest

The story unfolds across a rough frontier town and the barren wilderness beyond. You see dusty streets, a military presence, and small wooden cabins that dot the landscape. The harsh setting acts as a backdrop to violence, pursuit, and a fragile romance between two unlikely travelers.

🏜️ Desert 🏚️ Town 🗺️ Frontier

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:28

Main Characters – Cry for Me, Billy (1972)

Meet the key characters of Cry for Me, Billy (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Billy (Cliff Potts)

Hardened gunslinger who craves an escape from violence. He saves Flower from danger, earns her trust, and forms a deep, but difficult, bond with her as they travel through the wilderness. His quest for vengeance against the soldiers is fueled by loss and trauma, yet he constantly seeks a chance to start anew. His fate remains intertwined with Flower's, ending in tragedy as he is killed while trying to leave behind the gunslinger life.

🗡️ Gunslinger 💔 Traumatic past 🌿 Wilderness traveler

Flower (Maria Potts)

Apache girl captured during the massacre, kept as a sex slave by the soldiers. She forms a cautious alliance with Billy, and the two develop a deep, if brief, romance as they move through the harsh landscape. Flower endures severe abuse but remains capable of trust and compassion; her later suicide, after Billy frees her and they are momentarily separated, marks the emotional core of the story. Her memory haunts Billy and fuels his drive for vengeance and redemption.

🌺 Survivor 💞 Love interest 🕊️ Tragic fate

Sergeant (Don Wilbanks)

A racist US Army sergeant who leads the men responsible for the massacre of the Apache prisoners. He embodies the cruelty and abuse of power that the frontier era often inflicted on Indigenous people. His presence drives much of the conflict, including the assault on Billy and Flower and the pursuit that follows. The sergeant represents the systemic brutality at the heart of the conflict.

🧭 Authority 🗡️ Oppression ⚖️ Moral corruption

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:28

Major Themes – Cry for Me, Billy (1972)

Explore the central themes of Cry for Me, Billy (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

Billy, a hardened gunslinger, longs to leave the cycle of bloodshed behind him. His decision to protect Flower and help them escape signals a desire for a new life beyond violence. The journey with Flower tests his resolve and moral compass, even as danger closes in. The final credits hint at a placid, otherworldly continuation beyond their mortal struggle.

💔 Love & Trauma

A bond forms between Billy and Flower amid devastation, offering both hope and a fragile refuge from brutality. Flower endures captivity and abuse, yet she seeks trust and connection with Billy. Their growing affection is tempered by the violence surrounding them and Flower's ultimate act of despair after Billy is momentarily separated from her. Their relationship stands as a sanctuary in a harsh world.

⚔️ Vengeance

Billy’s quest to confront the soldiers becomes a rite of retribution for the atrocities suffered by Flower and her people. He uses his skills to ambush and eliminate those who harmed them, embodying the frontier code of payback. Yet the pursuit culminates in tragedy when he is shot by cabin owners, underscoring the cost of vengeance. The narrative closes with a suggestion of reconciliation beyond death.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:28

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Cry for Me, Billy

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cry for Me, Billy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cry for Me, Billy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cry for Me, Billy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cry for Me, Billy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Cry for Me, Billy Summary

Cry for Me, Billy Timeline

Track the full timeline of Cry for Me, Billy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Cry for Me, Billy Timeline

More About Cry for Me, Billy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cry for Me, Billy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Cry for Me, Billy