Black Gold 1947
Directed by
Phil Karlson
Made by
Allied Artists Pictures
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Black Gold (1947). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
South of the Mexican border, young Davey, a Chinese boy, finds himself orphaned after the death of his father, whom he had only recently met. His father’s life is cut short by a group of thieving white men. In his time of sorrow, he forms a bond with an Indian named Charley Eagle, whose own father suffered a similar fate at the hands of white men.
Charley enters his prized thoroughbred mare, Black Hope, into a race just south of the border, but he falls victim to the deceitful Dan Toland, who tricks him into selling Black Hope after she secures victory. Undeterred, Charley sneaks away at night, returns Toland’s money, and retrieves Black Hope, bringing both her and Davey back to their modest ranch in Oklahoma.
Charley’s educated wife, Sarah Eagle, encourages Davey to attend school. However, the other boys tease him mercilessly for his yellow skin, which leads Davey to outright refuse. In a heartfelt gesture, Sarah decides to adopt him officially, which encourages Davey to finally give school a try.
Their lives begin to change when an oilman offers the Eagles an advance for drilling rights on their land. With this new funding, Charley purchases a thoroughbred stud from Colonel Caldwell to breed with Black Hope. Tragedy strikes when Black Hope experiences complications after giving birth to a colt, and Charley is forced to put her down. But soon, the Eagles discover oil on their property, which leads to newfound wealth, and he names the colt Black Gold.
However, fortune comes with its share of pain. After an accident at the oil rig leaves Charley injured and reliant on a cane, he sets his sights on winning the prestigious Kentucky Derby. He enlists his old friend, Buckey, to train Black Gold, with Davey stepping in as the jockey.
During training one day, a little goat named Beautiful crosses Black Gold’s path unexpectedly, causing Davey to tumble from the saddle; fortunately, he’s unharmed, but this frightens Charley, who suffers a heart attack. Charley, a man who often strayed from home seeking adventure, now chooses to leave his family behind, opting to camp and meet his end alone. In a poignant moment, Sarah, Davey, and Black Gold venture to Charley, where they listen to his final words:
“She won.”
The climactic moment arrives at the Kentucky Derby, where Black Gold faces off against Toland’s favored horse, Corsair. Against the odds, Black Gold emerges victorious. As Sarah receives the gold cup from Colonel Caldwell, she honors Charley’s memory by repeating his last words:
“She won.”
Timeline
Track the key events of Black Gold (1947) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Davey's Orphanhood
In a tragic turn of events, young Davey finds himself orphaned after the sudden death of his father, whom he had only just met. His father was murdered by a group of thieving white men, leaving Davey alone and searching for solace.
Bonds of Friendship
In his time of grief, Davey forms a deep bond with Charley Eagle, an Indian who has faced similar loss at the hands of white men. Together they navigate their shared pain and begin to build a friendship based on understanding and mutual support.
Black Hope's Race
Charley enters his prized thoroughbred mare, Black Hope, into a race just south of the border. Despite Charley's hope for a fair competition, he is deceived by Dan Toland, who tricks him into selling the winning horse after she secures victory.
The Heist of Black Hope
Determined to reclaim his beloved mare, Charley sneaks out under the cover of night. He returns the money he received from Toland, successfully retrieving Black Hope and bringing both her and Davey back to their modest Oklahoma ranch.
Sarah's Encouragement
Charley’s educated wife, Sarah Eagle, sees potential in Davey and encourages him to attend school. However, Davey struggles to fit in and is relentlessly teased for his appearance, leading him to initially refuse Sarah’s kind offer.
A New Family
To show her love and commitment, Sarah decides to officially adopt Davey. This heartfelt gesture encourages him to finally give school a chance, marking a significant turning point in his life and integration into the Eagle family.
Fortune Knocks
A substantial opportunity arises when an oilman approaches the Eagles with an advance for drilling rights on their land. This unexpected financial boost allows Charley to purchase a thoroughbred stud from Colonel Caldwell to breed with Black Hope.
The Loss of Black Hope
Tragedy strikes when Black Hope encounters complications after giving birth to a colt. Heartbroken, Charley is ultimately forced to put her down, casting a shadow over their newfound wealth and bringing sorrow to the family.
Discovery of Oil
Following the heartbreak of losing Black Hope, the Eagles uncover a significant oil deposit on their property. This discovery, alongside the birth of Charley's new colt, named Black Gold, signifies a new era of wealth and opportunity for the family.
Charley's Ambition
Following a severe injury at the oil rig, Charley becomes reliant on a cane but is determined to chase his dream of winning the prestigious Kentucky Derby. He recruits his old friend Buckey to train Black Gold, while Davey steps in as the ambitious jockey.
The Training Incident
While training one day, an unexpected event occurs when a little goat named Beautiful crosses Black Gold's path. This startling event causes Davey to tumble off the horse, unharmed, but the fright triggers a heart attack in Charley, altering his path.
Departure from Family
Choosing to cope with his heart condition alone, Charley decides to leave his family and camp out in solitude. In a touching scene, Sarah, Davey, and Black Gold visit him to hear his final words, showcasing the emotional struggles they endure.
The Kentucky Derby
The climax of their journey arrives with the Kentucky Derby, where Black Gold competes against Toland's favored horse, Corsair. Despite overwhelming odds and fierce competition, Black Gold rises to the occasion and secures a stunning victory.
A Lasting Legacy
As Sarah triumphantly receives the gold cup from Colonel Caldwell, she honors Charley’s memory in a poignant moment. She echoes his final words, 'She won,' encapsulating the spirit of their journey and the resilience of their family.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Black Gold (1947) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Davey
Davey is a young Chinese boy who faces the harsh realities of life after losing his father. His journey from isolation to belonging is marked by his interactions with Charley and Sarah Eagle, showcasing his resilience and capacity for growth despite the prejudices he encounters.
Charley Eagle
Charley is a determined and compassionate individual who has endured personal loss. His dream to win the Kentucky Derby drives him through challenges, including his health issues. Charley's character embodies bravery as he navigates the complexities of life and death, ultimately seeking solace away from his family.
Sarah Eagle
Sarah is Charley's supportive wife, who values education and creates a nurturing environment for Davey. Her decision to adopt Davey highlights her compassion and desire to foster hope and growth in the face of adversity.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Black Gold (1947), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie takes place during a period when the American West was still untamed, and socio-economic tensions were high. Themes of racial discrimination and the pursuit of the American Dream are prevalent, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Location
Oklahoma, Mexico
The story unfolds in Oklahoma, where the Eagles run a modest ranch known for their prized thoroughbred mare, Black Hope. Just south of the border in Mexico, the atmosphere is filled with the hustle of horse racing and the darker undertones of deceit, setting the stage for both friendship and betrayal as Charley Eagle navigates his challenges.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Black Gold (1947). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🤝
Friendship
The bond between Davey and Charley Eagle highlights the importance of companionship in overcoming adversity. In a world marked by loss and discrimination, their friendship transcends racial barriers and embodies the spirit of support and loyalty.
💔
Tragedy
Tragedy permeates the plot, particularly with the death of Charley and the loss of Black Hope. These events force characters to confront their vulnerabilities and the harsh realities of their existence, ultimately leading to profound personal growth.
🏆
Victory
The triumphant moment at the Kentucky Derby serves as a culmination of the struggles faced by Charley and Davey. It represents not just a personal victory over their challenges, but also the realization of their dreams amid hardship and sorrow.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.