Thomasine & Bushrod

Thomasine & Bushrod

Year: 1974

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Gordon Parks Jr.

RomanceWesternCrimeAction

Set in the American South from 1911 to 1915, the film follows a couple of thieves who target wealthy white capitalists, redistributing the loot to Mexican, Native American and impoverished white communities. Their criminal venture is driven by love and a sense of social rebellion.

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Timeline – Thomasine & Bushrod (1974)

Trace every key event in Thomasine & Bushrod (1974) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Thomasine's confrontation and bounty hunter reveal

In Texas, 1911, Thomasine knocks out a man who tries to force himself on her without paying for her prostitution services. The act reveals she is actually a bounty hunter who uses her attractiveness to lure in her latest, unsuspecting target. The marshal pays the bounty but also threatens her, not appreciating her self-confident attitude.

1911 Texas
2

Jail discovery of a wanted poster

At the jail, she spots a wanted poster of her former boyfriend, Bushrod. Motivated, she tracks him down and they renew their complicated relationship. This reunion sets the stage for their later criminal partnership.

Soon after bounty Jail, Texas
3

Bushrod defeats Adolph the Butcher and marshal confrontation

Bushrod kills the notorious bank robber Adolph the Butcher, who had murdered his sister. Moments later, the marshal arrives intending to arrest Bushrod, but Thomasine intervenes and helps them escape. The incident solidifies their uneasy alliance and status as fugitives.

Immediately after the killing Scene of the killing
4

Bank robberies commence with car travel

Thomasine and Bushrod begin robbing banks, traveling by automobile as horses fade from the era. They share the stolen money with African Americans, Mexicans, Native Americans, and poor whites, earning them sympathetic press coverage. Their beguiling charisma fuels both fear and curiosity across the country.

Early in their fugitive period Various towns
5

Posse closes in on the fugitives

A posse led by the marshal stays close on their trail, determined to capture them as their crime spree continues. The pursuit intensifies with every bank job and getaway car. The couple remains elusive for now.

During the spree On the road / pursuing towns
6

Press turns sympathetic toward the couple

The couple's distribution of stolen loot to marginalized communities earns them favorable publicity in the popular press. The headlines romanticize their outlaw status while obscuring the harm of their crimes. This adds pressure on the marshal to bring them in.

During the spree Pressrooms / newspapers
7

Thomasine's pregnancy and desire for a stable life

Thomasine, now pregnant, expresses a desire to build a nest egg and move to a more stable life away from crime. The dream of normalcy begins to clash with their criminal reality. The plan foreshadows a potential endgame for the duo.

During fugitive life Hideout
8

Jomo joins the hideout

Their Jamaican-born friend Jomo joins them at the hideout, bringing a more casual approach to criminal life. His presence deepens the trio's dynamic and the risks they take. The group prepares for the next leg of their flight.

At the hideout Hideout
9

Jomo's capture and brutal punishment

Jomo is caught during a visit to town; he refuses to reveal their whereabouts. The marshal hangs him by his hands and then drops him into a pit of poisonous snakes. The act demonstrates the marshal's ruthlessness and raises the stakes for the fugitives.

During Jomo's capture Town
10

Search for Jomo leads to a trap and Thomasine is shot

Thomasine and Bushrod pursue Jomo in a car provided by him, but they walk into a trap surrounded by the marshal and gunmen. Thomasine is shot in the back and killed, ending her life during the escape.

After Jomo's capture Trap location
11

Bushrod avenges Thomasine and the marshal dies

Enraged, Bushrod charges the marshal; the marshal shoots him in the chest, but Bushrod pushes on and shoots the marshal in the head, killing him. The marshal's death marks a violent turn in the pursuit and the fall of the law's pursuers.

Following Thomasine's death Trap site
12

Final flashback to a happier moment

The film ends with a flashback to a previous scene of Thomasine and Bushrod happily splashing each other with water in a stream. It provides a bittersweet look at their relationship before the downfall. The memory lingers as the credits approach.

Earlier in their relationship Stream

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:30

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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.

Movies about outlaw couples like Thomasine & Bushrod

Romantic partners bound by crime, racing against the law and a grim fate.If you liked the romantic crime spree in Thomasine & Bushrod, explore more movies about defiant outlaw couples. These films blend high-stakes action with a central, passionate romance, often set against a backdrop of social injustice, leading to tense, bittersweet journeys.

romantictensedefiantgrimrebelliousbrutalnostalgicfugitives

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a couple on the run, often with a Robin Hood-like ethos, targeting a corrupt system. Their bond is their strength, but also their ultimate vulnerability. The plot is a linear sequence of heists, close calls, and confrontations, building towards an inevitable and often tragic climax that tests their love to the limit.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their core dynamic: a romantic partnership driving a life of crime. They share a specific mix of high-tension action, a darkly romantic tone, and a fatalistic pacing that makes the viewer feel the thrill and impending doom of the characters' choices.

Grim social rebellion Westerns similar to Thomasine & Bushrod

Westerns where outlaws fight systemic injustice in a brutal, unforgiving world.Fans of Thomasine & Bushrod's critique of racial and economic injustice will find more like it in this collection of grim, revisionist Westerns. These films share a dark tone, fast pacing, and focus on anti-heroes fighting a broken system, often with tragic consequences.

rebelliousgrimbrutaltensedefiantnostalgicunforgivingjustice

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist or group who consciously targets the powerful and wealthy as an act of social or political defiance. The world is portrayed as brutally unfair, making their criminal actions feel justified. The story is straightforward and action-driven, culminating in a confrontation that highlights the cost of rebellion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core theme of social rebellion within the Western genre. They possess a specific, gritty atmosphere, a high level of intensity from systemic conflict, and a dark tone that refuses to romanticize the past, instead exposing its injustices.

Unlock the Full Story of Thomasine & Bushrod

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Thomasine & Bushrod Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Thomasine & Bushrod, 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.

Thomasine & Bushrod Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Thomasine & Bushrod

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Thomasine & Bushrod. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Thomasine & Bushrod

Thomasine & Bushrod Spoiler-Free Summary

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Thomasine & Bushrod Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Thomasine & Bushrod

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