Year: 1970
Runtime: 126 min
Language: English
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
In the harsh landscape of the Wild West, outlaw Paris Pitman Jr. is imprisoned following a failed robbery and violent confrontation. With his gang decimated, he attempts to bribe his way to freedom, but faces opposition from the steadfast Sheriff Lopeman. Driven by desperation, Paris devises a risky jailbreak, leading to a tense and exciting confrontation with the law.
Get a spoiler-free look at There Was a Crooked Man... (1970) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the unforgiving expanse of the Wild West, lawlessness and survival coexist under a sky that seems as relentless as the men who roam its deserts. Dust‑laden towns cling to a fragile order while the open range whispers of danger and opportunity in equal measure. The landscape itself feels like a character, shaping every decision with its heat, its isolation, and the ever‑present threat of violence that lurks behind every tumbleweed‑strewn horizon.
Paris Pitman Jr. enters this world as a notorious outlaw whose reputation precedes him. Once a leader of a daring crew, he now finds himself behind iron bars, his once‑formidable gang reduced to memory. The harsh reality of prison life forces him to confront both his past choices and the stark limits of his ingenuity. Cunning and pride drive him, yet the weight of his recent failures sits heavy, fueling a restless need to claw back control in a place designed to strip him of it.
Opposite him stands Sheriff Lopeman, the embodiment of a lawman hardened by the very frontier he serves. Steadfast and principled, he wrestles with the delicate balance between enforcing order and understanding the humanity of those who oppose him. His presence in the town and later within the prison walls brings an unyielding sense of accountability, turning every interaction with Paris into a silent contest of will and morality.
Against this backdrop, a desperate bargain is proposed, hinting at the thin line between redemption and ruin. Paris contemplates a bold, high‑risk escape, while the sheriff watches with a mixture of suspicion and resolve. The tension between a man who has nothing left to lose and a guardian who refuses to surrender his duty creates a charged atmosphere, promising a clash that will test the limits of both law and lawlessness. The stage is set for a gripping showdown where every decision could change the course of their intertwined fates.
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:09
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Desperate inmates scheme for freedom in corrupt, unforgiving penitentiaries.If you enjoyed the desperate escape plans and corrupt prison system in There Was a Crooked Man..., you'll find similar tension in these movies. This list features stories of cunning inmates navigating brutal penitentiaries, where freedom is the ultimate prize and betrayal is always nearby.
The narrative typically follows a clever but morally ambiguous inmate who masterminds a complex escape from a harsh prison. The plot builds methodically as alliances are formed and tested, leading to a climax where the plan is put into action, often with bleak or morally complex consequences.
These movies are grouped by their claustrophobic setting, the central theme of a desperate escape, and a cynical tone that questions the very concepts of justice and redemption within a corrupt system.
Western stories where greed and moral ambiguity lead to grim conclusions.Fans of the moral ambiguity and bleak ending in There Was a Crooked Man... will appreciate these Westerns. Discover movies that deconstruct the genre's myths, featuring anti-heroes, themes of greed and corruption, and stories that conclude on a somber, unforgiving note.
The narrative journey follows an anti-hero's pursuit of wealth or freedom through morally dubious means, set against the unforgiving backdrop of the West. Their plans inevitably unravel due to their own flaws or a corrupt world, culminating in a defeat that highlights the futility of their ambitions.
They share a deconstruction of the traditional Western mythos, a dominant dark tone, themes of greed and corruption, and ultimately a bleak or bittersweet ending that leaves a heavy emotional impact.
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