Run for Cover

Run for Cover

Year: 1955

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Nicholas Ray

DramaWestern

A haunted drifter, recently out of prison, teams up with a troubled young sidekick when they are reluctantly appointed sheriff and deputy of a law‑less frontier town. Together they inspire a wayward youth, win the heart of a local woman, and fight to restore justice to the troubled land.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Run for Cover 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 – Run for Cover (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Run for Cover (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Main Characters – Run for Cover (1955)

Meet the key characters of Run for Cover (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Matt Dow (James Cagney)

A tough, principled sheriff with a shadowed past who drives the fight against crime while trying to uphold due process. He earns the town's respect through decisive action and tempered mercy, and his relationship with Helga deepens a personal stake in the community's fate.

🛡️ Lawman ⚖️ Morality 🔎 Determination 💔 Complexity

Davey Bishop (John Derek)

A young cowboy whose loyalty is tested as he proves willing to cooperate with criminals, only to reveal a more complicated role in the robbery. His later actions and injuries highlight the wavering line between complicity and justification, culminating in a tragic arc.

🧭 Naive 💔 Betrayal 🗡️ Outlaw

Helga Swenson (Viveca Lindfors)

The warm, welcoming daughter of Mr. Swenson who becomes Dow's ally and love interest. She anchors a sense of home at the Swenson farm and embodies the town's humane side amid violence and conflict.

💗 Love Interest 🏚️ Rural Life 🧭 Loyalty 🌿 Homey

Morgan (Ernest Borgnine)

A wily outlaw who can outpace the law and escape capture, only to face Dow again in a climactic pursuit. He is ruthless, dangerous, and central to the town's fear and conflict.

🗡️ Outlaw 🧠 Cunning ⚔️ Showdown

Gentry (Grant Withers)

An accomplice whose recognition of Dow creates tension within the gang and foreshadows the danger the town faces from a coordinated robbery.

🕵️‍♂️ Accomplice 🏴‍☠️ Bandit ⚖️ Criminal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Major Themes – Run for Cover (1955)

Explore the central themes of Run for Cover (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

Dow upholds the law in a frontier town, pursuing criminals while contending with mob violence. The pursuit of Morgan and the confrontation with a lynch mob show the film's concern with due process and moral responsibility. The story questions whether true justice can be achieved in a harsh, vigilante-influenced environment.

🔎 Determination

Dow's unwavering resolve drives the plot as he tracks criminals across rough terrain and refuses to abandon his duties when the odds are against him. His practical leadership becomes a beacon for the town and a test for Bishop's loyalty. The narrative highlights how perseverance shapes outcomes in a lawless landscape.

💔 Redemption

The tale explores whether flawed people can be redeemed, notably in Bishop's shift from ally to rival and Dow's later realization that redemption is possible but costly. Dow struggles with mercy versus punishment, and the ending suggests redemption's fragility. The final reflection implies forgiveness comes at a personal cost.

🏜️ Frontier Justice

Across desert stretches, the pursuit of criminals, bank robbers, and hostile terrain tests loyalties and resolve. The town's law, the posse, and the Comanche encounter frame a world where formal structures clash with survival instincts. Violence, risk, and moral ambiguity define life on the frontier.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

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 Run for Cover

Don't stop at just watching — explore Run for Cover 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 Run for Cover is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Run for Cover Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Run for Cover, 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.

Run for Cover Summary

Run for Cover Timeline

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

Run for Cover Timeline

More About Run for Cover

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Run for Cover: 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 Run for Cover

Similar Movies to Run for Cover

Discover movies like Run for Cover that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.

Explore More About Movie Run for Cover

Run for Cover (1955) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Run for Cover (1955) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Run for Cover (1955) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow

Movies Like Run for Cover – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy

Run Home Slow (1965) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Rancho Notorious (1952) Full Movie Breakdown

The Ride Back (1957) Full Summary & Key Details

Day of the Outlaw (1959) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap

Face of a Fugitive (1959) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Roughshod (1949) Story Summary & Characters

Gunsight Ridge (1957) Full Summary & Key Details

Riding Shotgun (1954) Film Overview & Timeline

Run, Man, Run (1968) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Shoot Out (1971) Film Overview & Timeline

Gunman’s Walk (1958) Ending Explained & Film Insights

The Round-Up (1920) Film Overview & Timeline

Lawman (1971) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap

Gun for a Coward (1956) Complete Plot Breakdown

The Outcast (1954) Ending Explained & Film Insights