Last of the Wild Horses

Last of the Wild Horses

Year: 1948

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Directors: Paul Landres, Robert L. Lippert

Western

Wild fury… Wide open thrills! A cowboy must clear himself of a murder he did not commit.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Last of the Wild Horses (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Last of the Wild Horses (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Old West, late 19th century

This tale is rooted in the classic American frontier period, where law and order clash with mob mentality. Stagecoaches, brandings, and quick-draw gunfights frame daily life in a small frontier town. The setting emphasizes power struggles between ranchers, lawmen, and opportunists.

Location

Jacksonville, Oregon, Double C Ranch, Remedy's Ranch

Set around Jacksonville, Oregon, the story unfolds across dusty streets, a sheriff's office, and sprawling ranches. The Oregon frontier atmosphere shapes daily life with horse trades, cattle brands, and tense confrontations. The narrative moves between town and the surrounding ranches, highlighting the rough, independent spirit of the era.

🏜️ Oregon frontier 🐎 Ranch life 🗺️ Small-town drama ⚖️ Frontier justice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

Main Characters – Last of the Wild Horses (1948)

Meet the key characters of Last of the Wild Horses (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Duke Barnum (James Ellison)

A rogue cowboy with a sharp mind and a fast draw, Duke intervenes when trouble arises but becomes entangled in a dangerous plot. He clashes with both criminals and lawmen, wielding improvisation and grit to survive. His pursuit of personal justice drives the story forward.

🤠 Western antihero 🔫 Quick-draw gunfighter 🗺️ Frontier justice

Remedy Williams (Olin Howland)

An older, genial rancher famous for his 'remedies,' he uses humor and knowledge to help others. He acts as a moral anchor in the town, aiding Duke with alibis and guiding friends on his ranch. His experience with danger grows as he faces threats and learns new skills, including a surprising art-related pursuit.

🧰 Healer 🧓 Elder statesman 🕯️ Wise

Terry Williams (Mary Beth Hughes)

A loyal ally who aids Duke with a careful alibi and stands up to danger. She demonstrates courage and practical thinking in a town where trust is scarce. Her actions help keep the pursuit of truth alive as the conflict escalates.

🤝 Ally 🕊️ Loyal 🎯 Courage

Charlie Cooper (Douglass Dumbrille)

The tough Double C Ranch owner who bullies smaller ranchers and drains wild horse herds for profit. He reluctantly agrees to ease off for a year, only to be drawn back into the conflict by Riley's schemes. His brutal leadership and subsequent murder catalyze the town's investigation.

🐴 Ranch boss 💼 Power broker ⚖️ Tragedy

Riley Morgan (Reed Hadley)

The scheming antagonist who manipulates the sheriff and joints to deputize his men, seizing control through intimidation. He engineers Charlie's death and uses blackmail to shield his plans, embodying greed and lawless ambition. His machinations drive the central conflict toward a violent confrontation.

🕵️‍♂️ Villainous mastermind 💰 Greed ⚖️ Corruption

Jane Cooper (Jane Frazee)

Charlie's daughter who pushes her father toward restraint and helps steer the family away from the most dangerous choices. Her influence contributes to a more cautious, measured approach in resolving the wild-horse dispute. She represents a voice for nuance amid frontier tensions.

👩 Daughter 🤝 Family ties 🕊️ Influence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

Major Themes – Last of the Wild Horses (1948)

Explore the central themes of Last of the Wild Horses (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

In a frontier town, formal justice is fragile, and verdicts can hinge on testimony and influence. Duke's arrest and trial expose how rumor and power can shape outcomes. The story questions whether true justice can prevail when the system is corrupted by wealth and fear.

🤝 Loyalty

Friendship and loyalty push characters to risk safety for one another, seen in Remedy and Terry shielding Duke with alibis. Bonds drive decisive actions despite danger and threat from the Double C Ranch faction. Loyalty ultimately anchors the pursuit of truth.

🕵️‍♂️ Deception

Riley's schemes weave a web of deception—blackmail letters, manipulated deputies, and false testimonies—that keeps the town off balance. Characters must navigate lies while seeking real intent and justice. The plot resolves as truth confronts manipulation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

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Wrongly Accused Stories like Last of the Wild Horses

An innocent person fights to clear their name against a corrupt system.Explore movies like Last of the Wild Horses where an innocent hero is framed for a crime. If you enjoyed the suspense of a man fighting a corrupt system to clear his name, you'll find similar tension and determined protagonists in these stories of fugitive justice.

tensesuspensefuldeterminedgrittyunforgivingresolutefrontier justice

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straightforward arc of accusation, flight, investigation, and eventual confrontation. The protagonist must gather evidence and allies while evading capture, leading to a climax that exposes the true villains and restores their name, often through violent or morally complex means.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their core narrative engine: a wrongful accusation that pits a lone individual against a seemingly insurmountable, corrupt establishment. They share a tense, gritty mood, a steady pace of investigation and evasion, and a theme of personal redemption through struggle.

Gritty Frontier Justice Movies like Last of the Wild Horses

Stories where lawlessness and power struggles define the harsh landscape.Find films similar to Last of the Wild Horses that capture the feel of a corrupt frontier. If you liked the tense power struggle and the theme of personal justice in a lawless land, these Westerns and crime dramas offer the same gritty, suspenseful vibe.

grittytenseunforgivingfrontiercorruptionpower struggleviolentresolute

Narrative Summary

The stories typically involve a clash between an individual or small group upholding a moral code and a corrupt local power figure. The conflict escalates through intimidation and violence, building towards a final, decisive showdown that resolves the struggle but often leaves a bittersweet acknowledgement of the harsh world.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific world-building and tonal quality: a tense, gritty atmosphere in a setting where institutional justice has failed. They focus on power dynamics, corruption, and the personal cost of seeking redemption or justice in an unforgiving environment.

Unlock the Full Story of Last of the Wild Horses

Don't stop at just watching — explore Last of the Wild Horses 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 Last of the Wild Horses is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Last of the Wild Horses Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Last of the Wild Horses, 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.

Last of the Wild Horses Summary

Last of the Wild Horses Timeline

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

Last of the Wild Horses Timeline

Last of the Wild Horses Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Last of the Wild Horses that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Last of the Wild Horses Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Last of the Wild Horses

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More About Last of the Wild Horses

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