Wild Wild West

Wild Wild West

Year: 1999

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

ActionSci-FiComedyWestern

During the Reconstruction era, President Grant finds himself targeted by the nefarious Dr. Loveless, a brilliant inventor with a deadly plot. To thwart his schemes, Grant enlists the aid of James West, a resourceful former Civil War agent, and Artemus Gordon, a quirky and resourceful U.S. Marshal. Despite their differing approaches, the duo must join forces with a mysterious ally and navigate a world of steampunk gadgets and perilous traps to bring Loveless to justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wild Wild West yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Wild Wild West (1999)

Trace every key event in Wild Wild West (1999) 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

Captain West Observes Ex-Confederates

In the year 1869, Army Captain James West hides in a railroad water tower to spy on a group of ex-Confederate soldiers. He is particularly focused on their leader, the notorious General 'Bloodbath' McGrath, who is suspected of planning something sinister.

1869
2

Chaos in the Saloon

West tracks the soldiers to a saloon where General McGrath is in a rowdy revelry. A large prostitute attempts to hypnotize the general to reveal his plans, but chaos ensues, providing West with a chance to infiltrate the establishment.

Saloon
3

Confrontation with Thugs

Upon breaking into the saloon, West is stalled by the cunning prostitute, allowing McGrath to escape. This leads to a fierce confrontation where West takes on McGrath's thugs, showcasing his combat skills and determination.

Saloon
4

Meeting U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon

During the confrontation, West discovers that the enigmatic figure assisting him is actually U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon. This revelation shifts the dynamics of their partnership as they join forces against the thugs.

5

Summoned by President Grant

The narrative shifts to Washington, D.C., where President Ulysses S. Grant summons West and Gordon to the White House. He informs them of the mysterious disappearances of key American scientists, tasks them with solving the mystery before the transcontinental railroad's inauguration.

Washington, D.C.
6

Investigation in New Orleans

West and Gordon travel to New Orleans to investigate Dr. Arliss Loveless, an ex-Confederate scientist. Here, they engage in an extravagant gathering and West mistakenly identifies a female guest as Gordon, putting himself in a precarious situation.

New Orleans
7

Gordon's Rescue

While West faces a mob threatening to lynch him, Gordon boldly navigates the mansion and uncovers a caged damsel named Rita Escobar. He heroically rescues her, thus deepening their involvement in Loveless's sinister plot.

Loveless's mansion
8

Introduced to Loveless's Weapon

Loveless displays his latest creation, a steam-powered tank, and demonstrates its lethality by brutally killing General McGrath. This shocking act heightens the urgency of West and Gordon's quest to stop Loveless.

9

Chasing Loveless

After learning of McGrath's fate, West recounts Loveless’s dark past involving a massacre of free slaves. Enraged, West, Gordon, and Rita pursue Loveless, who is making his escape on an armored train heading to Utah.

On the train
10

Captured by Loveless

While attempting to thwart Loveless's train, Rita accidentally releases sleeping gas, knocking out West, Gordon, and herself. They awaken to find themselves captured, as Loveless plans to abduct President Grant.

11

Evading Traps

Using their wits, West and Gordon manage to escape lethal flying disks activated by their collars. They cleverly evade this deadly trap and discover Loveless's private railroad leading to his evil operations.

12

The Mechanical Spider

Loveless unveils his ultimate weapon—a colossal mechanical spider equipped with advanced weaponry. This formidable creation enhances the stakes as it makes its way toward the ceremony, threatening everything in its path.

13

Final Showdown

During a climactic battle at the inauguration ceremony, Loveless captures Gordon and President Grant. In a shocking twist, West appears to be defeated but reveals he has survived thanks to a layer of chain mail.

Promontory, Utah
14

West's Distraction

Employing a clever ruse, West disguises himself as a belly dancer to distract Loveless. This diversion allows him to devise a plan to rescue Gordon and President Grant from Loveless's clutches.

15

Victory and New Roles

After a final confrontation with Loveless, West prevails, leading to Loveless's downfall into a canyon. As the dust settles, President Grant recognizes the bravery of West and Gordon, promoting them as the inaugural agents of the U.S. Secret Service.

Promontory, Utah

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:56

Unlock the Full Story of Wild Wild West

Don't stop at just watching — explore Wild Wild West in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Wild Wild West is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Wild Wild West Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Wild Wild West, 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.

Wild Wild West Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wild Wild West

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wild Wild West

More About Wild Wild West

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Wild Wild West: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Wild Wild West

Similar Movies to Wild Wild West

Discover movies like Wild Wild West that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.