The Reivers

In the early 20th century, Lucius Priest, a naive young man, is swept into an unpredictable adventure by his family's manservant, Boon Hogganbeck. Without permission from Lucius' grandfather, Boon steals one of the first automobiles in Yoknapatawpha County, setting the stage for their misadventures.

As they travel towards Memphis, Lucius and Boon come across Ned McCaslin, a black man who works at the stables. In a gesture that illustrates their ignorance of consequences, they invite Ned to join their escapade, discovering that he is a relative of the Priest family.

Upon reaching Memphis, Boon and Lucius check into a boarding house where they encounter Miss Reba and her eccentric entourage. The moral dynamics of the establishment become apparent, particularly when Boon involves an 11-year-old boy in their plans, raising concerns from the local favorite, Corrie.

The atmosphere becomes tense when Otis, Corrie's nephew, shares unsettling tales of his aunt's past filled with exploitation and prostitution. Lucius, unable to tolerate the crude stories, confronts Otis, leading to a violent clash that leaves him injured.

Following the altercation, Ned returns, boasting about having traded the stolen car for an unfit racehorse. The group, including Corrie, concocts a plan to secretly transport the horse on a midnight train to Parsham, hoping to gain from entering it in a race.

Once in Parsham, while preparing for the race, they encounter Butch, a corrupt lawman who attempts to blackmail Corrie for sexual favors. Reba, determined to protect the group, threatens to reveal Butch’s misdeeds, creating a rift with the local community.

On race day, as dawn breaks, Lucius mounts the horse, affectionately named Lightning. Their strategy involves feigning defeat initially, but unexpected turmoil arises when Butch arrests Boon for the stolen horse, jeopardizing their entire plan.

As chaos ensues, Lucius takes matters into his own hands, teaming up with Ned's relative to rescue Lightning. Meanwhile, Corrie diverts Butch’s attention, allowing Lucius to execute their plan despite the escalating pressures.

Against all odds, Lucius and Lightning secure an unexpected victory at the race, stunning the audience. In the midst of their celebration, Lucius' grandfather, Boss Priest, appears at the racetrack, complicating their adventures further.

That evening, Ned shares his ulterior motive, explaining that a cousin named Bobo had stolen a horse to settle a debt. He proposes using Lightning in an upcoming race against the car, but Boss Priest's sudden arrival interrupts their scheming.

Facing the dilemma of losing the prized horse, Boss Priest decides to enter another race. Victory offers a reward of $500, but failure could mean losing everything, including the horse, and Ned plots to sabotage their chances for his benefit.

After the race, Boss Priest intervenes to protect Lucius from his father's rage, acknowledging that Lucius has already faced enough repercussions. This moment cements the bond between grandfather and grandson amidst the chaos.

In the wake of the chaotic events, Boon and Corrie decide to marry. They celebrate their union by naming their future child Lucius Priest Hogganbeck, symbolizing the intertwined legacies born from their extraordinary adventure.