Sinful Davey

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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Timeline & Setting – Sinful Davey (1969)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Sinful Davey (1969). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1800s

Set in the early 19th century Britain, the story inhabits a rigid social order and an active penal system. The era’s backdrop includes military despatches, highwaymen on the roads, and the contrast between provincial Scotland and aristocratic centers. Memory, crime, and law intersect within a society just before the mid-century reforms.

Location

Scotland, Duke of Argyll's estate, British prison

The film unfolds across a British prison in Scotland and the aristocratic environs of the Duke of Argyll's estate. It juxtaposes harsh prison life with the opulence of noble houses and a grand manor. The Scottish setting—both highland remoteness and estate culture—drives much of the mood and conflicts.

🇬🇧 Britain 🏔️ Scottish Highlands 🔒 Prisons & Estates

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

Main Characters – Sinful Davey (1969)

Meet the key characters of Sinful Davey (1969), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Davey Haggart (John Hurt)

A charismatic yet reckless Scottish rogue who deserts the army and embraces a life of crime to outdo his father’s highwayman legacy. He is fearless and quick-witted, but his impulsiveness often lands him in trouble. His charm masks a volatile temper and a relentless drive for glory.

🎭 Charismatic outlaw 🗡️ Impulsive 🔄 Rebellious

Annie (Pamela Franklin)

A childhood friend who loves Davey and sometimes helps him escape trouble, hoping he will reform. She remains loyal even when the path leads toward danger and illegality. Her actions reflect a balance between affection and pragmatic resolve.

💘 Love interest 🕊️ Loyal ally

MacNab (Ronald Fraser)

Davey’s partner in crime, a pickpocket and schemer who rides the line between camaraderie and betrayal. He helps drive the adventures and the robberies, often steering plans through tight spots. His presence anchors the criminal underworld in the story.

💼 Criminal partner 🧭 Schemer

Jean Carlisle (Fidelma Murphy)

A leader among female prisoners who catalyzes much of the prison night life and later intersects with Davey’s schemes. Her influence extends beyond the cell block as the plot moves through shared danger and cunning. She embodies resilience amid confinement.

🚺 Prisoner Leader 🗝️ Influencer

Sir James Campbell (Donal McCann)

A nephew of the Duke who invites Davey into the aristocratic world and its intrigues. His role reveals how aristocratic hospitality can mask risk and opportunism. He acts as a bridge between crime and courtly circles.

👑 Noble Figure 🏛️ Aristocratic Link

Duke of Argyll (Robert Morley)

A powerful aristocrat whose estate frames the plot’s aristocratic sphere. His wealth and influence highlight the division between privilege and criminal life. He remains a central figure whose world Davey dares to intrude upon.

👑 Aristocrat 🏰 Estate Power

Duchess of Argyll (Maxine Audley)

A figure of refinement and authority within the aristocratic circle, hosting the ball that becomes a setting for theft and social display. She embodies the opulence and gatekeeping of upper-class society. Her presence amplifies the tension between luxury and risk.

👑 Noblewoman 🏛️ Social Prominence

Constable Richardson (Nigel Davenport)

The local officer who pursues Davey and tries to recruit Annie to help capture him. He embodies the persistent, methodical side of law enforcement and the pressure to end the cycle of crime. His pursuit keeps the thriller tension high throughout the story.

💂 Lawman 🕵️ Pursuit

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

Major Themes – Sinful Davey (1969)

Explore the central themes of Sinful Davey (1969), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Escape & Freedom

Davey’s life is a continuous chase for freedom, marked by daring escapes and near-captures. The prison and gallows loom as constant threats, yet he keeps finding ways to slip away. The landscape—prison walls, manor halls, and open moors—becomes a stage for his longing to break free.

📝 Memoir & Narrative

Davey writes his memoirs and narrates the tale in flashback, shaping how events unfold. The voice-over invites us to question truth, memory, and self-justification. The film toys with reliability, blending fact with legend as Davey rewrites his life.

👑 Society & Power

The story pits aristocratic privilege against criminal improvisation, underscoring class boundaries and justice. The Duke and Duchess of Argyll symbolize social dominance, while constables and bailiffs reveal the reach of the law. The aristocratic ball becomes a theater where wealth, loyalty, and danger intersect.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

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.

Why These Movies?

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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Sinful Davey Summary

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Sinful Davey Summary

Sinful Davey Timeline

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Sinful Davey Timeline

Sinful Davey Spoiler-Free Summary

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Sinful Davey Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Sinful Davey

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