Red River

Red River

Year: 1948

Runtime: 133 min

Language: English

Directors: Arthur Rosson, Howard Hawks

DramaWestern

In rural Kentucky, the isolated life of patriarch Roland is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of strangers. Their presence ignites simmering conflicts, escalating into violence that engulfs the community. As tensions rise, the peaceful landscape devolves into a dangerous battleground, leading to a destructive confrontation with lasting consequences for everyone involved.

Red River (1948) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Red River (1948) 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 rolling hills of rural Kentucky, life has settled into a steady, unhurried rhythm under the watchful eye of the family patriarch, Roland. A man shaped by the land and its quiet traditions, he guards his home and the modest legacy he has built with a stoic sense of duty. The world around him is painted in muted tones of pasture and pastureland, where each sunrise seems to promise another day of simple, predictable labor.

That fragile equilibrium is disturbed when a handful of strangers drift into the valley, their presence a sudden flare against the calm backdrop. Their arrival stirs whispers and unsettles old habits, prompting the close‑knit community to confront questions it has long kept at bay. As the newcomers mingle with long‑standing residents, underlying tensions begin to surface, hinting at old grievances and new ambitions that have long waited for a catalyst.

The film’s tone walks a tightrope between serene pastoral beauty and the simmering unease of a community on the brink. Shadows lengthen across the fields, and the once‑peaceful landscape feels charged with an unspoken threat, suggesting that the coming days may test the resolve of Roland and those around him. The mood is both contemplative and foreboding, inviting viewers to wonder how the delicate balance will hold when the quiet of the countryside is forced into confrontation.

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 at 07:49

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Red River

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