Virginia City

Virginia City

Year: 1940

Runtime: 121 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Curtiz

WesternActionRomanceWesternsWild west outlaws and gunfights

Union officer Kerry Bradford escapes a Confederate prison and races to Virginia City to stop $5 million in gold from reaching Confederate coffers. Pursued by a Confederate sympathizer and a Mexican bandit, each with their own claim on the loot, he must navigate excitement, adventure and a rugged romance on the frontier.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Virginia City (1940)

Trace every key event in Virginia City (1940) 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

Escape from Libby Prison

Bradford stages a daring escape from Libby Prison, slipping past guards as the facility falls into chaos. He reports back to Union headquarters and is sent to Virginia City, Nevada to locate the $5,000,000 in gold intended for shipment to the Confederacy. The mission marks his transition from prisoner to active operative.

Libby Prison
2

Mission to Virginia City

Bradford arrives in Virginia City to uncover the location and movers of the Confederate gold. He begins gathering intelligence under the radar, aware that Southern sympathizers wield influence in the mining town. The assignment sets the stage for a dangerous game of deception and loyalty.

Virginia City, Nevada
3

Stagecoach Meeting

On the westbound stage, Bradford meets Julia Hayne, a dance-hall entertainer who is secretly a rebel spy. He also encounters John Murrell, a gang leader traveling as a gun salesman, who soon becomes a looming threat. The journey hints at romance and rising peril.

Westbound stagecoach route to Virginia City
4

Virginia City Arrival and Warning

When the stage reaches Virginia City, Julia warns Captain Irby about Bradford's presence. Bradford tracks Irby to the rebels’ hidden setup behind a blacksmith's shop, but the gold is already moved. The Union garrison is alerted and begins patrolling to stop wagons from leaving.

Virginia City; Blacksmith's shop behind false wall
5

Irby’s Plot with Murrell

Irby meets with a sympathetic town doctor while Murrell arrives seeking help to fix his broken arm. Irby offers Murrell ten thousand dollars to have his banditos attack the garrison, drawing soldiers away so the rebels can smuggle the gold. The plan hinges on creating a distraction to cover the transfer.

Irby's hideout area, Virginia City
6

Capture and Plot

Julia arranges a meeting between Bradford and Murrell, setting the stage for conflict. Irby seizes the opportunity and captures Bradford, intending to return him to prison. Bradford is taken prisoner as he becomes entangled in a web of loyalty and schemes.

Irby's hideout
7

Caravan Stop and Firefight

The rebels’ caravan is halted at a Union outpost. Initially allowed to proceed, the bullion-laden wagons sink into soft dirt and raise suspicion, triggering a firefight with Union troops. Bradford manages to escape amid the chaos as the caravan is forced to contend with both attackers and treacherous terrain.

Union outpost and road to Virginia City
8

Canyon Pursuit and Drewery's Arrival

Bradford rides down a steep incline, surviving a dangerous canyon fall that the rebels mistake for his death. He regroups at the outpost to telegraph for help, while Major Drewery arrives with cavalry but initially follows a false trail. The pursuit becomes a grueling race through the rugged landscape.

Canyon; Union outpost
9

Following a Hunch with a Detachment

Bradford convinces Drewery to let him command a small detachment to follow his hunch about the gold’s location. He leads a night march with his men, trusting his intuition to outmaneuver the rebels. The plan sets the stage for a decisive confrontation.

Outpost vicinity
10

Battle in the Canyon

Bradford and his force catch up with the trapped caravan as Murrell’s banditos renew their assault. A fierce gunfight erupts; Irby is wounded, but Bradford’s tactics and the rebels’ long guns eventually drive off the attackers. Before dying, Irby designates Bradford to take command of the caravan and its treasure.

Canyon
11

The Burial of the Gold

Under cover of darkness, Bradford removes the gold from the wagons and buries it in the canyon to prevent its capture. The act demonstrates Bradford’s resolve to deny the Confederacy a prize that could prolong the conflict. The burial becomes a crucial turning point in the pursuit.

Night Canyon
12

Morning Court-Martial

In the morning, Major Drewery’s forces arrive and Murrell is killed in a renewed assault. Bradford refuses to disclose the gold’s location and is charged with high treason, facing a court-martial. He defends his action by arguing the gold could end the war or help rebuild the South, highlighting the tension between duty and humanity.

April 8, 1865 (morning) Virginia City garrison
13

Lincoln’s Pardon Preceding Execution

A day before the scheduled execution, Julia pleads with Abraham Lincoln for Bradford’s life. Lincoln reveals that Lee and Grant are meeting at Appomattox to end the war, signaling a turning point toward reconciliation. He pardons Bradford, sparing him from execution and symbolizing national healing.

April 8, 1865 Washington, D.C. (Lincoln's office)
14

A Reconciled End

With the pardon granted, Bradford’s fate is secured as the war ends and the North and South begin to heal. The tale closes on a note of reconciliation and the resilient bond between Bradford and Julia. The gold’s fate remains a lingering question in the larger sweep of history.

April 9, 1865 and after Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:02

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Virginia City Summary

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Virginia City Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Virginia City

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Virginia City

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