There Was a Crooked Man...

Set in the American West during 1883, the film inhabits a frontier era defined by rough justice, scarce resources, and outlaw activity. The action moves from a wealth-ridden ranch to prison walls and perilous desert terrain, reflecting the period's harsh realities. This era shapes the characters' choices, risks, and the pursuit of fortune.

The story unfolds across distinct Western locations: the Lomax family home where the break-in occurs, a remote desert where the loot is buried in a rattlesnake nest, a frontier bordello that becomes a focal point for surveillance and manipulation, and a harsh penitentiary in the Arizona Territory where Pitman and his fellow inmates scheme and clash.

💰 Greed

Greed drives the plot as Pitman and others chase a hidden fortune. The lure of wealth tests loyalties and pushes characters toward risky decisions. The pursuit of money creates betrayals and heightens the stakes, culminating in a costly twist.

🗝️ Escape

Escape is the engine of the narrative: a prison riot, shifting alliances among inmates, and a relentless pursuit to reach freedom. Pitman uses the opportunity of chaos to push toward an exit, while the warden does what he can to thwart the plan. The escape efforts drive the tension to a dramatic, ironic conclusion.

⚖️ Justice

The film probes justice within a flawed system: a reform-minded warden clashes with hardened criminals while trying to impose dignity and order. The ending questions what constitutes true justice as death, capture, and theft intertwine. It contrasts moral reform with the harsh realities of crime and punishment.