South of St. Louis

South of St. Louis

Year: 1949

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Ray Enright

Western

Warner Bros.’ Thundering New Triumph! As the American Civil War erupts and the nation divides, three ranch partners watch their livelihood crumble. Desperate for cash, each joins the Confederate army, driven by his own personal motives.

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Timeline & Setting – South of St. Louis (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of South of St. Louis (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

During the Civil War era

The events are set during the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. This period was marked by conflict, political upheaval, and social change across the United States, particularly in border states like Texas, which experienced guerrilla warfare and divided loyalties.

Location

Texas, Brownsville, Matamoros, Edenton

The movie takes place primarily in Texas and parts of Mexico, including Brownsville and Matamoros, which are close to the U.S.-Mexico border. Edenton appears as a small Texas town. These locations are known for their rugged landscapes, frontier atmosphere, and historical significance during the Civil War and its aftermath.

🌵Desert 🤠Western 🌅Border towns 🚢Border crossing

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

Main Characters – South of St. Louis (1949)

Meet the key characters of South of St. Louis (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kip Davis (Joel McCrea)

Kip is a resilient rancher driven by a desire to rebuild his farm after losing it in the conflict. His traits include determination, loyalty, and a sense of justice, although he becomes entangled in dangerous gun-running to restore his livelihood.

💪determined 🤠loyal 💔tragic

Rouge de Lisle (Alexis Smith)

Rouge is an attractive lounge singer who becomes involved in the gun-running scheme. She is resourceful and manipulative, but also displays affection toward Kip, showing complexity beyond her initial role.

🎶charming 🎭clever ❤️romantic

Lee Cottrell (not specified actor)

Lee is a Confederate soldier and Kip's former friend. He embodies loyalty to his cause and moral conflict, especially as he faces the consequences of war and betrayal.

🎖️loyal ⚖️conflicted 💔strained

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

Major Themes – South of St. Louis (1949)

Explore the central themes of South of St. Louis (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ War & Conflict

The film explores the turbulence of the Civil War, highlighting themes of revenge, loyalty, and the chaos wrought by war. The characters navigate personal and political conflicts, reflecting the upheaval of the era.

💰 Greed & Loyalty

The story delves into characters torn between personal gain and moral duty. Kip's shift from wanting to rebuild his ranch to gun-running for the Confederacy showcases how greed can influence loyalty and decisions during wartime.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:54

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South of St. Louis Summary

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South of St. Louis Summary

South of St. Louis Timeline

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South of St. Louis Timeline

South of St. Louis Spoiler-Free Summary

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South of St. Louis Spoiler-Free Summary

More About South of St. Louis

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South of St. Louis (1949) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

South of St. Louis (1949) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

South of St. Louis (1949) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow