The Desperadoes (1943) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in Red Valley, a small frontier town located in Utah. The setting reflects a remote community with a rugged desert landscape, typical of the American West during the 1860s, where law and order are constantly challenged by outlaws and corruption.

• red valley utah
• frontier town
• western setting
• utah territory

The story is set in 1863, during the American Civil War period. This was a time of instability and frontier justice in Utah, which was then a frontier region experiencing tensions from post-Indian War expansion and widespread lawlessness.

• 1863
• civil war era
• frontier
• utah territory
• 1860s

The film explores two central themes: justice and redemption, where characters like Cheyenne work to clear their names and restore law in the town; and love and loyalty, as romantic tensions between characters test bonds of guilt, betrayal, and sacrifice.

• justice
• redemption
• love
• loyalty
• themes

Cheyenne Rogers is a former outlaw portrayed by Glenn Ford who arrives in Red Valley seeking redemption. He is loyal, brave, and capable of change, eventually growing into a hero who works to restore justice and protect the town despite his criminal past.

• cheyenne rogers
• glenn ford
• former outlaw
• redemption hero

Allison McLeod is the daughter of Uncle Willie, portrayed by Evelyn Keyes. She is a kind and compassionate young woman who deeply cares for her father and Cheyenne. Her strong sense of morality drives her to seek justice and support Cheyenne despite the obstacles his criminal past creates.

• allison mcleod
• evelyn keyes
• love interest
• moral character

Uncle Willie McLeod is a guilt-ridden aging rancher who initially feels responsible for orchestrating the bank robbery. Throughout the story, he undergoes redemption and ultimately sacrifices himself to help clear Cheyenne's name, highlighting themes of familial loyalty and moral redemption.

• uncle willie mcleod
• edgar buchanan
• redemption
• sacrifice
• banker robbery

Stanley Clanton is the corrupt banker of Red Valley, portrayed by Porter Hall. He orchestrates the bank robbery for personal gain and embodies greed and moral corruption. His actions set much of the film's central conflict in motion.

• stanley clanton
• porter hall
• corrupt banker
• villain
• greed

Red Valley is a small, remote frontier town characterized by its rugged desert landscape and lawless atmosphere. The environment reflects the harsh realities of frontier life in the American West, where outlaws frequently clash with outposts of authority and law enforcement is constantly tested.

• red valley
• small town
• desert
• lawless frontier
• western town

The 1863 Civil War-era setting creates a backdrop of instability and frontier justice. This period was marked by lawlessness and tension from post-Indian War expansion, allowing outlaws and corrupt figures like banker Clanton to operate while lawmen struggled to maintain order in the territory.

• civil war
• frontier justice
• lawlessness
• 1863 historical context

Jack Lester is a ruthless gunman portrayed by Bernard Nedell who serves as a key figure in the bank robbery conspiracy. He is quick to violence and aims to maintain his criminal influence in the town, acting as an antagonist who brings chaos and danger to Red Valley.

• jack lester
• bernard nedell
• gunman
• antagonist
• criminal