The Reivers 1969

In the early days of the 20th century, an unsuspecting Lucius Priest (a distant cousin of the McCaslin/Edmonds family) becomes entangled in a misadventure orchestrated by Boon Hogganbeck, his family’s manservant. Without seeking permission from Lucius’ grandfather, Boon pilfers one of the first cars in Yoknapatawpha County, belonging to Lucius’ esteemed patriarch. As they make their way to Memphis, they stumble upon Ned McCaslin, a black man who works at the stables alongside Boon, and unwittingly invite him to join their escapade - a testament to their lack of foresight. Unbeknownst to them, Ned is also a blood cousin of the Priest family.

Upon arriving in Memphis, Boon and Lucius take up residence in a boarding house, where they encounter Miss Reba, the enigmatic madam, and her cohorts. The establishment’s moral fabric is tested when it becomes clear that Boon has brought an 11-year-old along, prompting Corrie, the resident favorite, to express her dismay at this unexpected addition. As the evening wears on, Otis, Corrie’s nephew, regales them with tales of his aunt’s sordid past, revealing a shocking history of prostitution and exploitation in their hometown. Enraged by Otis’ crude revelations, Lucius takes umbrage and engages him in a fierce battle, which culminates in a bloody hand injury courtesy of the younger boy’s pocketknife. Boon intervenes to restore order, but Corrie is so moved by Lucius’ chivalry that she resolves to abandon her life of ill repute.

As the night wears on, Ned returns from his unknown whereabouts, boasting that he has acquired a supposedly lame racehorse in exchange for the pilfered vehicle. Corrie, Reba, Boon, and Lucius concoct a scheme to smuggle the horse onto a midnight train bound for Parsham, where they plan to enter it into a high-stakes horse race. Ned’s cunning plan hinges on the notion that everyone in town will underestimate their chances of winning, allowing him to recoup his losses by buying back the original car. Corrie utilizes her connections within the railroad to secure passage for themselves and the horse, enlisting Sam’s assistance to facilitate their clandestine operation.

Upon arriving in Parsham, Ned deposits Lucius into the care of a local black family while they prepare for the big race. However, their plans are soon foiled when Butch, the town’s corrupt lawman, discovers them and attempts to extort sexual favors from Corrie in exchange for turning a blind eye. Reba intervenes, threatening to expose Butch’s duplicity by revealing his request for two prostitutes at once, effectively alienating him from the townspeople. As the stakes continue to rise, the group must navigate this treacherous landscape and find a way to realize their ill-fated dream.

As the sun rises on the day of reckoning, Lucius takes to the saddle astride Coppermine, affectionately known as Lightning by Ned. With a calculated calm, he surrenders to defeat in the opening heat, just as planned. However, fate has other designs, as Butch’s sudden intervention halts the proceedings, arresting Boon for pilfering the prized steed. Lucius and one of Ned’s kinsmen join forces to extricate the horse from the chaos, while Corrie allegedly clears up the mess by charming a tryst with Butch. The very next day, despite the odds, Lucius and Lightning emerge victorious, leaving onlookers in awe. As they bask in the glory of their unexpected triumph, Boss Priest, Lucius’ grandfather, materializes at the track’s perimeter.

That evening, Ned reveals his Machiavellian plan: Bobo, a distant cousin, had accumulated an astronomical debt to a white man and agreed to steal a horse as collateral. Ned recognizes a peculiar essence in Lightning reminiscent of a lame mule he once coaxed into racing. Convinced of the horse’s potential, Ned decides to hedge his bets by pitting Lightning against the car. However, Boss Priest’s sudden arrival scuttles his scheme. Now embroiled in the controversy surrounding the stolen horse, Boss Priest is forced to enter another race: should they win, he will pay a substantial $500 and claim the horse, but if they lose, he will forfeit the same amount without claiming the prize. Ned deliberately sabotages the race, aware that Lightning’s value lies solely in its potential.

As the dust settles, Boss Priest intervenes once more, rescuing Lucius from a beating at the hands of his father, recognizing that the ordeal he has endured is punishment enough. Boon and Corrie eventually tie the knot, bestowing the name Lucius Priest Hogganbeck upon their offspring.