Jubal

Jubal

Year: 1956

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Delmer Daves

DramaWestern

A sometimes violent tale of a drifting cowhand, Jubal Troop is discovered in a weakened state, horse‑less, and taken in by Shep Horgan at his sprawling ranch. There he quickly clashes with foreman Pinky, a cattleman who derides Jubal, insisting he reeks of sheep, setting the stage for tension and conflict.

Jubal (1956) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Jubal (1956) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the dry, wind‑scarred expanses of the American West, a solitary ranch sprawls amid restless plains, its isolated silhouettes hinting at both hardship and hidden camaraderie. When a wandering cowhand collapses on the dusty road, barely clinging to consciousness and without a horse, he is rescued by the seasoned ranch owner, Shep Horgan. The quiet generosity of Horgan offers a tentative refuge, setting the stage for a story where survival intertwines with the unspoken rules of frontier life.

At the heart of the ranch’s daily rhythm lies a simmering clash of personalities. The gritty foreman, Pinky, embodies the hardened cattle‑man’s disdain for any outsider, his sharp tongue and swagger creating an ever‑present undercurrent of rivalry. Adding to the tension is Horgan’s young, striking wife, Mae Horgan, whose presence brings an ambiguous mix of allure and propriety that neither the seasoned cowhands nor the drifter can ignore. Meanwhile, the resilient Jubal Troop proves his worth through an uncanny ability with an unbroken horse, quickly earning a place among the men while navigating the delicate balance between respect, suspicion, and an unvoiced yearning for something beyond the ranch’s borders.

Beyond the ranch’s fence, a modest caravan of travelers—referred to by the locals as “rawhiders”—makes its slow passage across the landscape, bringing with them a fresh perspective and a hint of mystery. Among them, Naomi Hoktor offers a quiet strength, while the lone wanderer Reb drifts toward the group, his rugged independence promising an uneasy but potentially vital alliance. The convergence of these diverse souls against the backdrop of rugged terrain and an ever‑present sense of danger hints at deeper currents of loyalty, desire, and the relentless search for a place to call home.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:28

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Westerns of Wrongful Accusation and Manhunts like Jubal

Brooding tales of loners caught in webs of lies, facing wrongful accusations.This collection features movies like Jubal, where the tension comes from personal betrayal and false accusations rather than large-scale conflicts. If you liked the grim, character-driven suspense of Jubal, you'll find similar stories about loners fighting for justice against overwhelming odds in a harsh Western landscape.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a drifter or outsider who is accepted into a community or ranch, only to become the target of malicious rumors and schemes. A central false accusation—often of murder or theft—triggers a violent manhunt, forcing the protagonist to flee or clear their name while navigating complex, morally ambiguous relationships.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a high-stakes personal crisis within the Western genre. They share a heavy emotional weight, a tense and often melancholic tone, and a plot driven by betrayal and the pursuit of justice in a world quick to judge.

Claustrophobic Ranch and Family Dramas like Jubal

Stories where enclosed settings become pressure cookers for jealousy and violence.Explore more movies like Jubal that use a confined setting to amplify tension between characters. These films focus on the destructive power of jealousy and manipulation within a small group, leading to a heavy, dramatic story with a steady build-up to a violent climax, perfect for viewers who enjoyed the intense interpersonal conflicts in Jubal.

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Narrative Summary

The plot unfolds within a limited social sphere, often centered on a family or work unit. A new arrival disrupts a fragile balance, awakening bitter rivalries and illicit desires. The tension builds steadily through psychological games and verbal sparring, rather than action, until the repressed emotions erupt into physical confrontation or tragedy.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their oppressive, anxious mood and their use of a closed setting to create a sense of inescapable doom. They share a high intensity derived from character conflict, a steady pacing that allows tension to simmer, and themes of dysfunctional relationships and betrayal.

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Jubal Summary

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Jubal Summary

Jubal Timeline

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Jubal Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Jubal

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Jubal

More About Jubal

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