The Desperadoes

The Desperadoes

Year: 1943

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Vidor

Western

Popular mailcoach driver Uncle Willie collaborates with the town’s crooked banker to empty the bank and stage a robbery. When his original pick fails to appear, he recruits a group of local boys. One of them stays, befriending the sheriff and becoming smitten with Willie’s daughter Allison, complicating the crooks’ scheme and testing his loyalty.

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Timeline & Setting – The Desperadoes (1943)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Desperadoes (1943). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1863

The movie is set during the American Civil War period, a time marked by instability and frontier justice. Utah was a frontier region in 1863, experiencing the tensions of post-Indian War expansion and lawlessness. It was a tumultuous period where outlaws and outposts of authority often clashed.

Location

Red Valley, Utah

Red Valley is a small frontier town located in Utah during the 1860s. It is a remote community with a rugged landscape, typical of the American West, where law and order are challenged by outlaws and corruption. The town's environment reflects the rugged, lawless atmosphere characteristic of frontier life in that era.

🏜️ Desert town 🌄 Western 🏚️ Small town

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:49

Main Characters – The Desperadoes (1943)

Meet the key characters of The Desperadoes (1943), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cheyenne Rogers (Glenn Ford)

A former outlaw striving for redemption, Cheyenne is loyal, brave, and capable of change. He initially arrives in town with a criminal past but grows into a hero working to restore justice and protect those he cares about.

🧭 Outlaw turned hero ❤️ Romantic 💪 Courageous

Allison McLeod (Evelyn Keyes)

A kind and compassionate young woman, Allison cares deeply for her father and Cheyenne. Her sense of morality and love drives her to seek justice and support Cheyenne despite societal obstacles.

🌹 Romantic 💖 Loyal 🧠 Compassionate

Uncle Willie McLeod (Edgar Buchanan)

A guilt-ridden, aging rancher who initially feels responsible for the robbery, Uncle Willie ultimately sacrifices himself to help clear Cheyenne's name. His actions highlight themes of redemption and familial loyalty.

🤝 Loyal 🕊️ Redeemed 🔫 Guilt-ridden

Stanley Clanton (Porter Hall)

A corrupt banker who orchestrates the bank robbery for personal gain, Clanton embodies greed and moral corruption. His actions set much of the conflict in the story.

💰 Greedy 🎩 Power-hungry 🏦 Corrupt

Jack Lester (Bernard Nedell)

A ruthless gunman and key figure in the robbery conspiracy, Jack Lester is quick to violence and aims to maintain his criminal influence. He is an antagonist who brings chaos and danger to the town.

🔫 Ruthless ⚔️ Violent 💥 Outlaw

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:49

Major Themes – The Desperadoes (1943)

Explore the central themes of The Desperadoes (1943), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The film explores themes of justice and redemption, with characters like Cheyenne trying to clear their names and restore law in the town. The struggle between right and wrong is central, highlighted by the corrupt actions of banker Clanton and the efforts of lawmen to uphold order.

💔 Love and Loyalty

Love bonds are tested as characters navigate feelings of guilt, betrayal, and sacrifice. The romantic tension between Cheyenne, Allison, and the Countess underscores themes of loyalty and forgiveness amidst the chaos.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:49

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Explore Movie Threads

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Outlaw redemption stories like The Desperadoes

A reformed outlaw seeks a new life, pulled between old loyalties and new love.If you enjoyed the theme of moral reformation in The Desperadoes, you'll find more movies like it here. This collection features Westerns and crime dramas where a character seeks redemption, grappling with their past while navigating new relationships and the threat of old conflicts.

redemptivehopefultensemoral conflictromanticadventurousmelancholic

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a character attempting to go straight, often sparked by a positive influence like a new romance or community. Their past inevitably catches up, forcing a climactic choice where they must definitively choose their new path over their old life, leading to a bittersweet but hopeful resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the moral reformation arc. They blend tense action with heartfelt emotion, creating a cohesive experience centered on hope, loyalty, and the difficult path to becoming a better person.

Classic Westerns with clear justice like The Desperadoes

Clear-cut battles of good versus evil on the frontier, where justice prevails with a cost.Fans of The Desperadoes will enjoy these similar movies that feature classic Western themes of frontier justice and moral clarity. Discover more films where honest sheriffs, conflicted heroes, and cunning outlaws collide in tales of right versus wrong.

adventuroustensehopefuljusticefrontierromanticaction

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a linear structure: a threat to peace emerges, a hero rises to confront it, leading to a series of confrontations and chases. The climax is a definitive showdown where good triumphs, though often with personal sacrifices, resulting in an ending that affirms justice while acknowledging its price.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared adherence to classic Western tropes—a steady pace, medium intensity, and a straightforward plot centered on moral choices and frontier justice. They offer a cohesive viewing experience of action-driven stories with a hopeful heart.

Unlock the Full Story of The Desperadoes

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Desperadoes in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Desperadoes is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Desperadoes Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Desperadoes, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Desperadoes Summary

The Desperadoes Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Desperadoes with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Desperadoes Timeline

The Desperadoes Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Desperadoes that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Desperadoes Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Desperadoes

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Desperadoes: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Desperadoes

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