The Cherokee Kid

The Cherokee Kid

Year: 1996

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

FamilyActionComedyTV MovieWestern

In the harsh frontier, only the hard, tough, or insane survived—Isaiah Turner embodied all three. Orphaned after the wealthy, powerful Cyrus Bloomington brutally murdered his parents, he shuns heroics and fixates on vengeance. Through dusty towns and lawless trails he tracks Bloomington, determined to bring the tyrant to justice.

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Timeline & Setting – The Cherokee Kid (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Cherokee Kid (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century (c. 1880s-1890s)

The events take place during the era of westward expansion and railroad development, when land ownership and survival depended on bravado and gun skills. Frontier towns rise and fall with bank robberies, duels, and clashes between land grabbers and settlers. The period’s rough justice and sparse law create a world where loyalty and risk are everyday currencies.

Location

Oklahoma Territory, Larabee (Texas), Pinedale, El Paso, Holsopple Farm

The story unfolds on the American frontier during the late 19th century, moving from the Oklahoma Territory during railroad expansion to towns like Larabee, Pinedale, and El Paso. Key locations include the rugged Holsopple Farm and desolate desert outskirts where gunfights and standoffs shape the men who defend their land. The settings reflect harsh landscapes and the rough, community-driven life of frontier towns grappling with expansion and displacement.

🏜️ Western 🗺️ Frontier towns 🧭 Land disputes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Main Characters – The Cherokee Kid (1996)

Meet the key characters of The Cherokee Kid (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Isaiah Turner (The Cherokee Kid) (Sinbad)

A half-Cherokee youth from the Oklahoma Territory whose family is ruined by a land grab. His quest for vengeance against Cyrus Bloomington drives him to train as a gunslinger, first with street smarts and later under mountain lessons, ultimately earning the moniker 'Cherokee Kid.' He grows into a capable fighter who uses clever moves and courage to protect allies and fight for his land. The arc centers on his struggle with identity, loyalty, and the cost of retribution.

⚔️ Gunslinger 🗡️ Revenge seeker 🪶 Cherokee heritage

Jedediah Turner (The Undertaker) (Gregory Hines)

Isaiah’s half-brother and a legendary gunslinger known as The Undertaker. He is initially framed as a foe but is later revealed to be part of the family tragedy that shaped Isaiah. A formidable fighter who can flip from rival to ally, he saves Isaiah during the climactic struggle and represents a complex mix of loyalty, skill, and history. His presence deepens the theme of brotherhood and destiny on the frontier.

⚔️ Duelist 🧬 Family bonds 🗡️ Veteran gunslinger

Otter Bob (Burt Reynolds)

A burly, resourceful mountain man who becomes Isaiah’s mentor in survival and marksmanship for three months. In exchange for reading lessons, he teaches Isaiah practical skills and hard-won frontier wisdom. He sacrifices himself to protect Isaiah when danger closes in, embodying selfless mentorship on the way to redemption and growth.

🏔️ Mountain man 🎓 Mentor 🛡️ Self-sacrifice

Juan Cortina (A Martinez)

A Mexican gunslinger and ally whom Isaiah rescues in the desert. Cortina’s debt to repay becomes a binding promise that links him to the Kid and the fight against Bloomington. He enters as a tenacious partner and remains a key figure in the broader alliance that forms to challenge the land-grabber’s power.

🌵 Frontier ally 🤝 Debt and loyalty 🎯 Sharpshooter

Nat Love (Ernie Hudson)

A renowned gunslinger who becomes part of the wider resistance, mentoring and guiding Isaiah as he grows into his role. Nat’s presence adds veteran wisdom and grit to the group during pivotal battles, including the desert escape and bank heist sequence. He dies in the final gunfight, marking a tragic but meaningful sacrifice for the cause.

⚔️ Gunslinger 🤝 Mentor/ally 🪦 Sacrifice

Cyrus Bloomington (James Coburn)

A land-grabbing railroad baron and political power broker who orchestrates violence and manipulation to seize territory and wealth. Bloomington’s campaign and his bounty-hunting operations drive the central conflict, culminating in a dramatic showdown where Isaiah asserts his newfound justice. He represents the ruthless frontier capitalism that endangers families and communities.

💼 Land baron 🏛️ Power broker ⚔️ Antagonist

Abby Holsopple (Vanessa Bell Calloway)

Daughter of the Holsopple family who initially attempts to capture Isaiah and Cortina for bounty. Her actions stem from a deep desire to protect her land and livelihood, but she ultimately becomes captivated by Isaiah’s cause and signs up to join their group, adding a personal stake and romantic tension to the mission.

💖 Love interest 🧭 Frontier family 🗡️ Determined

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

Major Themes – The Cherokee Kid (1996)

Explore the central themes of The Cherokee Kid (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Revenge

Isaiah’s drive to confront Cyrus Bloomington for the murder and dispossession of his family anchors the narrative. The pursuit of Bloomington weaves through duels, heists, and imprisonments, forcing Isaiah to push past fear and seek justice by reclaiming what was lost. The theme explores how revenge can catalyze growth, skill, and a hunted sense of identity.

🤝 Brotherhood

Jedediah Turner, The Undertaker, is revealed to be Isaiah’s brother, forging a powerful bond that transcends rivalry. Their fractured relationship evolves into mutual reliance as they unite against a common enemy. The motif emphasizes loyalty, shared history, and the idea that kinship can temper vengeance with purpose.

🪶 Identity

Isaiah’s evolution into the Cherokee Kid centers on heritage, name, and the hat passed down from his father. The title itself signals a doubling of identity—part frontier avenger, part symbol of Native American lineage—shaping how he is perceived and how he chooses his fate. The journey from a hunted youth to a documented gunslinger probes what it means to belong on the frontier.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:58

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