Zachariah

Zachariah

Year: 1971

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: George Englund

WesternComedyDramaMusic

A head of his time A blacksmith and an amateur gunslinger embark on journey through the west together but soon separate and have surreal experiences of their own.

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Timeline & Setting – Zachariah (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Zachariah (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

Set in the latter half of the 19th century American West, the film centers on gunfighters, outlaw bands, and frontier life. Saloons, desert landscapes, and showdowns define the era, emphasizing lawlessness and personal honor. The narrative traces a shift from violent bravado to introspection and peace amid the harsh, sunbaked environment.

Location

El Camino, Desert

The story unfolds across the arid desert and the border town of El Camino. El Camino is portrayed as a sin city centered around Belle Starr's brothel/spa, a place where gunfighters chase thrills. The Old Man's desert compound frames moments of reflection and serves as a retreat from the violence of the frontier.

🏜️ Desert landscape 🏚️ Frontier towns 🗺️ Western frontier culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

Main Characters – Zachariah (1971)

Meet the key characters of Zachariah (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Zachariah (John Rubinstein)

A young gunslinger who discovers a talent for quick gunplay but seeks a deeper purpose. He is torn between joining the outlaw world and pursuing a more meaningful life, eventually influenced by the Old Man’s desert wisdom. His evolution moves from flash and aggression to restraint and contemplation, symbolized by shedding his gunfighter attire. The journey culminates in a desire to reunite with his friend through a peaceful horizon.

⚔️ Gunslinger 🧭 Identity 🏜️ Desert transformation

Matthew (Don Johnson)

Zachariah's best friend and a skilled blacksmith who views gunfighting as a path to power and acceptance. He climbs within Cain's gang but remains wary of Zachariah's growing restraint. His ambition and willingness to manipulate situations push him toward rivalry and conflict, ultimately testing the limits of friendship.

🔥 Ambition 🤝 Loyalty 🧨 Rivalry

Belle Starr (Patricia Quinn)

Belle Starr runs the brothel/spa in El Camino and uses her influence and allure to draw in affluent gunslingers. She embodies frontier seduction and power, offering a tempting but morally ambiguous lure for the men who pass through El Camino. Her presence highlights the era’s flirtation with wealth and danger.

💎 Femme fatale 🪙 Wealth & power 🐍 Temptation

Job Cain (Elvin Jones)

The legendary outlaw whose gang represents the dangerous lure of violence and fame. He challenges Zachariah and Matthew to prove their skills, acting as a magnet for the frontier’s most reckless impulses. His leadership test drives the crux of the conflict and the move toward a climactic showdown.

⚔️ Outlaw 🕶️ Authority 🩸 Violence

Old Man (William Challee)

A solitary desert resident who mentors Zachariah with calm philosophy. He teaches restraint and the value of slowing down, even at the cost of his own peace. His guidance and eventual death emphasize the desert as both a teacher and a boundary between violence and reflection.

🧭 Mentor 🏜️ Desert sage 🕯️ Wisdom

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

Major Themes – Zachariah (1971)

Explore the central themes of Zachariah (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Peace vs Violence

Zachariah starts as a quick-draw gunfighter but gradually seeks a purpose beyond bloodshed. The Old Man's wisdom and the desert's hush push him toward restraint and a search for meaning. The story contrasts the adrenaline of gunfights with the cost they exact on relationships and the land. Ending the gunfighter life signals a move toward inner peace over reckless bravado.

🌄 Desert Wisdom

Desert solitude becomes a teacher as the Old Man shares a mantra about slowing down and facing life with clarity. The barren landscape mirrors internal deserts, inviting reflection over impulse. The journey through El Camino and back underscores the value of stillness and understanding one's path. Environment shapes choice and self-discovery.

🤝 Friendship & Rivalry

Two former friends, Zachariah and Matthew, drive each other toward rival ambitions within Cain's gang. Their bond is tested by loyalty, greed, and the lure of power, culminating in a duel that blurs personal lines. The narrative oscillates between camaraderie and confrontation, showing how shared history can both unite and divide. In the end, Zachariah seeks a peaceful path while Matthew confronts the consequences of his choices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

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Zachariah Summary

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Zachariah Summary

Zachariah Timeline

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Zachariah Timeline

More About Zachariah

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