Sinful Davey

Year: 1969

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: John Huston

AdventureComedyCrime

A young man, certain that the notorious criminal he admires is his father, sets out to copy his father's daring crimes in an effort to prove his lineage. Meanwhile, his childhood friend, aware of the danger, becomes relentless in tracking him down, hoping to intervene and steer him away from the destructive path.

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Sinful Davey (1969) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Sinful Davey (1969), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a British prison in the early 1800s, Davey Haggart John Hurt is seen writing his memoirs while awaiting execution, and the tale unfolds largely through his voice-over as a long string of flashbacks. He begins as a drummer in the British Army, marching in step, but deserts by leaping from a bridge and letting his drum drift away. His father, a highwayman, was hanged at twenty-one for attempting to rob the Duke of Argyll Robert Morley, and Davey is determined to outdo his father’s infamous record. Annie Pamela Franklin, a childhood friend who loves him, follows his path at times, pulling him back from trouble but always hoping for reform.

Davey teams with MacNab Ronald Fraser, a skilled thief, and the two drift from one petty crime to the next, sometimes joining forces with others before they end up in custody. Inside, Davey slips into the women’s quarters and starts a raucous party led by Jean Carlisle Fidelma Murphy, turning the cell into chaos. Annie’s bail frees him, but he then enables MacNab’s escape and slips back into highway robbery, chasing a family legacy rather than peace.

Constable Richardson [Nigel Davenport] tries to recruit Annie to help capture Davey, but she refuses. Davey hides in the Scottish Highlands, yet old impulses pull him toward trouble. Almost by accident, he foils an attempted assault and robbery on Sir James Graham Donal McCann, a nephew of the Duke of Argyll, who invites Davey to his uncle’s manor.

At the manor, Duke of Argyll Robert Morley and his family open their doors to him, while MacNab, Jean Carlisle, Annie, and Richardson converge on the estate at different moments. He stages an elaborate jewel caper during a grand ball hosted by the Duchess of Argyll [Maxine Audley](/actor/maxine-audley, but Annie returns the stolen jewels, complicating the thief’s plan. When Richardson recognizes Davey as the thief he has pursued, a tense chase erupts, with Davey stealing a horse and tearing away until a low-hanging tree branch knocks him from his ride.

Back in a prison cell, Davey finishes his memoirs, convinced his execution is near. Yet in a final reversal, Annie and MacNab sabotage the gallows, freeing Davey once more, and the trio rides away into the night.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:55

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Charming rogue adventures like Sinful Davey

Lighthearted crime capers led by charismatic but misguided young protagonists.If you enjoyed the playful criminal antics of Sinful Davey, you'll like these movies featuring charismatic young rogues on lighthearted adventures. Discover other comedies and adventures with a hopeful tone, steady pacing, and stories that find the fun in being a lovable scoundrel.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a charismatic protagonist on a series of escalating, often petty, crimes or schemes. The journey is episodic, with each new caper building towards a final challenge. The central conflict often involves the protagonist's desire for a legacy or identity, with their criminal pursuits serving as a misguided but ultimately formative path to self-discovery and redemption, usually guided by a loyal friend.

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These movies are grouped by their shared light, whimsical tone that treats crime as an adventurous lark rather than a serious moral failing. They feature steady pacing, medium intensity, and a focus on character charm over complex plotting. The emotional journey is consistently one of lighthearted mischief leading to a happy, affirming conclusion.

Coming of age stories with misguided quests like Sinful Davey

Young protagonists find their true path by first following a dangerous one.Find movies similar to Sinful Davey, where a young person's quest for identity leads them down a comedic path of misadventure. These films blend coming-of-age themes with crime or adventure, featuring a steady pace, a light emotional weight, and a focus on friendship and redemption.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a young person who idolizes a flawed figure or concept and embarks on a quest to emulate them, often involving a series of comic misadventures or petty crimes. A central, often childhood friend serves as the voice of reason, creating a dynamic of chase and intervention. The plot is straightforward, building to a climax where the protagonist must choose between the destructive ideal they pursued and the better path represented by their friend, leading to a happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific character arc: a misguided youth on a quest for legacy. They blend the genres of comedy, adventure, and coming-of-age with a light tone and steady pacing. The similarity lies in the core theme of finding one's true self by walking a wrong path first, all wrapped in an entertaining, not overly heavy, package.

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