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Timeline

The Reivers (1969) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1969 · 112 min · English
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Starring
Lonny Chapman, Michael Constantine, Steve McQueen, Clifton James, Sharon Farrell, Will Geer

In the Mississippi Delta around 1900, young Lucius McCaslin experiences a defining adventure. He joins forces with Boon, a charismatic handyman, and their friend Ned when Boon steals a Studebaker and embarks on a cross-state joyride. The journey tests Lucius's understanding of right and wrong, revealing unexpected truths about the adults around him and the complexities of the world beyond his sheltered upbringing.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle
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13 events in order · contains spoilers

The Reivers Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Reivers (1969) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Lucius and Boon's Reckless Start

    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.

    When
    Early 20th century
    Where
    Yoknapatawpha County
  2. Unexpected Encounter with Ned

    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.

  3. Arrival at the Boarding House

    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.

    Where
    Memphis
  4. Confrontation with Otis

    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.

    Where
    Memphis
  5. Ned's Triumph and New Plans

    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.

    Where
    Memphis
  6. Dealing with Local Lawman Butch

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  7. Race Day Preparations Begin

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  8. Rescue Mission

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  9. Unexpected Victory

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  10. Ned's Plan Unveiled

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  11. High Stakes Race

    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.

    Where
    Parsham
  12. Confrontation with Father

    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.

  13. Boon and Corrie's Decision

    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.

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 14:24

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Timeline questions answered

The Reivers Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Reivers (1969): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Boon steal the automobile?

Boon took the Studebaker without permission to give Lucius one final adventure before the boy grew too old for such escapades. He wanted to show the naive young man the wider world beyond his sheltered upbringing, though his impulsive decision put them both in serious trouble with Boss Priest.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Boon's close relationship with Lucius and his restlessness with farm life.

  • boon hogganbeck
  • stolen car
  • studebaker
  • boss priest
Q2

Who is Ned McCaslin and why is he related to Lucius?

Ned is a black stable hand who works alongside Boon and is revealed to be a distant blood relative of the Priest family. His family connection becomes significant when he joins their adventure and later helps orchestrate the horse racing scheme to recover the stolen vehicle.

Foreshadowing: The narrative hints at Ned's relation when Lucius and Boon first invite him to join without considering consequences.

  • ned mccaslin
  • family relation
  • priest family
  • horse scheme
Q3

What was Ned's ulterior motive with the horse?

Ned orchestrated the horse trade knowing Lightning had racing potential, recalling a sickly mule he once trained successfully. His cousin Bobo had stolen another horse as collateral for a debt, and Ned planned to enter Lightning in a race against the car to win back their losses and clear Bobo's debt.

Foreshadowing: Ned's自信 about the trade and his knowledge of horses hints at deeper plotting.

  • lightning horse
  • ned's plan
  • horse race
  • cousin bobbo
Q4

Why did Boss Priest show up at the race?

Boss Priest discovered the stolen car situation and tracked them to Parsham. He arrived to take control and face the legal consequences, ultimately being forced to enter another race with $500 at stake, victory would pay out, but defeat would forfeit the horse without claiming ownership.

Foreshadowing: The narrative builds tension toward Boss Priest's arrival throughout the Parsham sequence.

  • boss priest
  • racetrack
  • $500 race
  • parsham
Q5

Why did Boon decide to marry Corrie?

During their time in Memphis, Corrie was inspired by Lucius standing up to Otis and vowed to leave her life of vice behind. Boon, moved by her transformation and their shared experience during the crisis, decided to marry her, symbolizing redemption for both characters.

Foreshadowing: Corrie's declaration to change her life occurs after Lucius defends her honor against Otis.

  • boon
  • corrie
  • marriage
  • redemption
Q6

What did Butch want from Corrie in Parsham?

Butch, the corrupt local lawman, discovered their scheme and attempted to extort sexual favors from Corrie in exchange for his silence. Reba threatened to expose that Butch had requested two prostitutes, effectively blacking him out of the community and neutralizing the threat.

Foreshadowing: Butch's suspicious presence during race preparations hints at his ulterior motives.

  • butch
  • corrie
  • extortion
  • corrupt lawman
  • parsham
Q7

Why did Lucius' father want to punish him?

Lucius' father was furious about the stolen car and the entire illicit adventure, viewing it as a disgrace to the family. Boss Priest intervened, arguing that Lucius had already suffered enough consequences through the ordeal itself, protecting his grandson from further punishment.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Lucius and his father builds as the truth of the adventure emerges.

  • father
  • punishment
  • boss priest intervention
  • family
Q8

What does naming their child Lucius Priest Hogganbeck mean?

Boon and Corrie decided to name their future child Lucius Priest Hogganbeck, combining Boon's surname with Lucius' family name. This symbolizes how their lives became intertwined through the adventure, honoring both the Priest family legacy and the bond formed during their journey.

Foreshadowing: The name reflects the deepening connections made throughout their Memphis and Parsham adventure.

  • naming
  • hogganbeck
  • family legacy
  • marriage
Q9

How did Lucius win the race against all odds?

Following their strategy, Lucius initially feigned defeat on Lightning while the crowd underestimated them. When Butch arrested Boon and caused chaos, Lucius teamed up with Ned's relative to rescue Lightning, then rode to victory while Corrie distracted Butch. The unexpected triumph stunned everyone at the racetrack.

Foreshadowing: The plan to fake defeat initially sets up the unexpected comeback.

  • race victory
  • lightning
  • butch arrest
  • unexpected win
Q10

Why did Lucius get into a fight with Otis in Memphis?

Otis, Corrie's nephew, shared crude stories about his aunt's past exploitation and prostitution in their small community. Incensed by the disrespectful tales about someone who had shown them kindness, Lucius confronted Otis, resulting in a physical altercation where Otis cut Lucius' hand with a pocketknife.

Foreshadowing: The tension builds as Otis' crude behavior escalates throughout the evening.

  • otis
  • injury
  • memphis
  • confrontation

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Reivers, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Reivers tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Southern awakening journey movies like The Reivers

Coming-of-age adventures set in the American South, where joy and disillusionment intertwine. Discover more movies like The Reivers that follow a character's formative journey through the American South. If you liked the blend of adventure and moral discovery in a Southern Gothic setting, you'll find similar stories of bittersweet awakening here.

  • coming-of-age
  • nostalgic
  • bittersweet
  • reflective
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • Tone: bittersweet, reflective, earnest
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a protagonist, often a child or young adult, leaving a sheltered environment for an adventure across the Southern landscape. This journey serves as a catalyst for growth, exposing them to the region's unique social hierarchies, hidden secrets, and the gap between childhood ideals and adult realities, culminating in a mixed sense of loss and understanding.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific regional vibe, a bittersweet tone stemming from the contrast between youthful adventure and sobering realizations, and a focus on the moral and emotional awakening of a central character against a rich Southern backdrop.

Life-changing road trip movies similar to The Reivers

An unplanned journey becomes a catalyst for profound personal and moral transformation. If you enjoyed The Reivers' story of a stolen car leading to a journey of discovery, explore these similar movies about road trips that transform their characters. These films capture the mix of adventure, humor, and poignant life lessons found on the open road.

  • adventurous
  • reflective
  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • earnest
  • nostalgic
  • Tone: bittersweet, adventurous, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, journey-based
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is triggered by an impulsive decision to hit the road, often in a stolen or borrowed vehicle. What begins as a simple joyride or escape evolves into a series of escalating events and meetings with eclectic characters. The central figure, frequently a younger or more naive person, is guided by flawed but charismatic companions, and the journey's trials lead to a fundamental shift in their perspective.

Why they belong together: These films are united by the central narrative device of a transformative road trip, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a tone that balances lighthearted adventure with deeper emotional and moral stakes, resulting in a bittersweet or reflective conclusion.

Every angle

The Reivers (1969) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Reivers in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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