Old Henry

Henry, a man with a buried past, has lived a quiet life as a farmer in Oklahoma, trying to shield his son, Wyatt, from violence and his own former identity. However, when a fugitive named Curry is found injured on his land, Henry chooses to care for him rather than turn him over to the law, hinting at a complex past. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Henry is actually Billy the Kid, who survived the infamous shootout where he was thought to have been killed. This explains Henry’s fluency in Spanish and his past connections to Mexico, where he likely lived after escaping justice.

The tension escalates when a group of outlaws disguised as lawmen arrive, seeking Curry, now revealed to be a fugitive with a criminal history. Henry’s protective instincts kick in as he fights off the attackers, defending his farm and revealing his exceptional gunmanship, reminiscent of his outlaw days. In the final showdown, he kills Sheriff Ketchum and his deputies and manages to escape, reaffirming his identity as a dangerous and skilled gunslinger.

When Curry’s true identity is uncovered—he is not just a fugitive, but a corrupt lawman who once worked with Ketchum and was involved in bank robberies—he turns on Henry, shooting him in the gut to escape. Curry’s revelation underscores how Henry’s attempt to maintain a peaceful, hidden life was ultimately impossible, as his past comes roaring back. In his last moments, Henry tells Wyatt that raising him gave him some solace and that, despite his sins, he had no hope for redemption, but that he hoped Wyatt would make his father proud in a changed world.

Henry’s death signifies the tragic cost of living with a concealed, violent past, but Wyatt’s act of shooting Curry symbolizes a moment of hope and justice. He buries his father near his mother’s grave, leaving the farm behind in pursuit of a new beginning, carrying the money Curry once had. The ending reveals that Henry’s true identity was Billy the Kid, a legendary outlaw trying to escape his past, but ultimately unable to leave his history behind forever. Wyatt’s act of shooting Curry and his departure from the farm illustrate that while the past may be buried, it’s never fully gone, shaping their lives long after.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00