Directed by
Paul Greengrass
Made by
Universal Pictures
In the tumultuous year of 1870, we follow Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, portrayed by Tom Hanks, a former Confederate officer who ekes out a living traversing Texas. Kidd’s unique trade involves reading the news to residents of various towns for a mere ten cents per person. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon an overturned wagon, discovering the body of a lynched black freedman. Amid this grim scene, he finds a young girl who identifies herself as Cicada and speaks only Kiowa.
Upon checking her papers, Kidd learns that this girl is actually Johanna Leonberger, played by Helena Zengel, who has undergone a harrowing experience—having been kidnapped and raised by the Kiowa six years prior. After Union troops uncover Johanna while breaking up a Kiowa camp, she is placed in the care of the freedman for a journey to her rightful relatives. A passing Union patrol instructs Kidd to deliver Johanna to Union officials in a town further down the road, leaving him with little choice but to comply.
Upon reaching town, Kidd discovers that the Bureau of Indian Affairs representative won’t be available for three months. Initially, he considers leaving Johanna with friends Simon and Doris Boudlin, played by Ray McKinnon and Mare Winningham, respectively. However, after an incident where Johanna desperately attempts to flee with a group of Native Americans during a storm, Kidd realizes he must ensure her safety and undertakes the responsibility of returning Johanna to her family in Castroville, located about 400 miles away. With Simon providing him a sidearm and ammunition, Kidd sets off, armed with both his shotgun and determination.
Set in the shadow of the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, the country is rife with tension—southern folks refuse to accept their new reality as abolition takes hold. After six arduous days of travel, Kidd and Johanna find themselves in Dallas, where they face the grim reality of several weeks more of hiking ahead. The landscape is marred by violence as whites and Native Americans clash over land rights.
In Dallas, a stop at a local inn run by Ella Gannett (Elizabeth Marvel), who understands Kiowa, reveals devastating news: Johanna’s adoptive family has been killed, making her an “orphan twice-over.” Later that night, while reading the news, Kidd and Johanna encounter hostility from three ex-Confederate soldiers intent on purchasing Johanna. Their escape into the wilderness is fraught with danger, but Kidd manages to outsmart and defeat the men, thanks in part to Johanna’s clever suggestion to use his previously earned dimes as makeshift ammunition.
As they approach Erath County, they are apprehended by a group of militiamen led by the racist cattle baron Farley (Thomas Francis Murphy), who has violently expelled all non-white residents. Under duress, Kidd finds himself coerced into reading propaganda that praises Farley. Instead, he chooses to highlight a recent disaster in a Pennsylvania coal mine, igniting rebellion among Farley’s workers. Amid the ensuing chaos, Kidd and Johanna make a daring escape, but not before Johanna takes decisive action to save Kidd’s life by using his shotgun to kill Farley.
Their perilous journey continues as misfortune strikes—Kidd loses their wagon and their last horse is tragically injured. After making the humane choice to put down the horse, they press forward on foot. Battling through the heat and a fierce sandstorm, they encounter a generous band of Kiowa who provide Johanna with a horse, aiding their quest.
Ultimately, they reach the Leonberger family homestead. Kidd, albeit reluctantly, leaves Johanna with her aunt and uncle. They offer him a reward, but he insists they invest in books for Johanna, enabling her to learn to read. With a heavy heart, he continues on to San Antonio to visit the grave of his late wife, Maria, who succumbed to cholera while he was serving. In this emotional farewell, Kidd comes to a poignant realization: Johanna has become a part of his family.
Resolute, he rides back to her, seeking forgiveness for leaving. Johanna’s aunt and uncle allow Kidd to raise her when it’s clear she struggles to adapt to life on the farm. In a heartwarming conclusion, we see Captain Kidd reading the news to an engaged crowd, with Johanna by his side, proudly introducing her as his daughter—Johanna Kidd.
Captain Kidd's Journey Begins
In the year 1870, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former Confederate officer, makes a living traveling through Texas. He earns a meager income by reading news to townsfolk for ten cents a person, setting the stage for an unexpected adventure.
Discovery of Johanna
While traveling, Kidd discovers the body of a lynched black freedman near an overturned wagon. Amidst this grim scene, he finds a young girl named Cicada, who only speaks Kiowa, marking the beginning of his journey with her.
Identity Revealed
Kidd learns that the girl he had found is actually Johanna Leonberger, who was kidnapped and raised by the Kiowa six years prior. This revelation underlines the significant trauma she has endured and sets Kidd on a path of responsibility towards her.
Mission from Union Patrol
After an encounter with a Union patrol, Kidd is given a directive to deliver Johanna to Union officials in a nearby town. This command propels Kidd into a commitment he never anticipated, emphasizing the conflict-torn backdrop of their journey.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Delay
Upon reaching the town, Kidd discovers that the representative from the Bureau of Indian Affairs will not be available for three months. Faced with this news, Kidd contemplates leaving Johanna with his friends, Simon and Doris Boudlin.
Fleeing Native Americans
During a severe storm, Johanna attempts to flee with a group of Native Americans, a decision that alarms Kidd. This incident prompts Kidd to recognize the urgency of ensuring her safety, leading him to take full responsibility for her journey home.
Arrival in Dallas
After six strenuous days of travel, Kidd and Johanna reach Dallas, where they are faced with the daunting uncertainty of continuing their journey. The tension in the region is palpable as violence erupts between white settlers and Native Americans over land.
Shocking News in the Inn
At a local inn, Kidd learns from Ella Gannett that Johanna’s adoptive family has been killed. This devastating news propels Johanna further into despair, deepening Kidd's commitment to protect and reunite her with her family.
Confrontation with Ex-Confederates
While reading the news, Kidd and Johanna encounter hostility from three ex-Confederate soldiers who attempt to purchase Johanna. Their escape is perilous, showcasing both Kidd's quick thinking and Johanna's cleverness in using his dimes as ammunition.
Apprehended by Militia
Upon approaching Erath County, Kidd and Johanna are captured by militiamen led by the racist cattle baron Farley. Under pressure, Kidd is forced to promote propaganda but cleverly seizes the moment to incite rebellion among the workers.
Farley's Downfall
In the midst of the chaos that ensues from Kidd's actions, Johanna makes a brave decision to save Kidd by using his shotgun to kill Farley. This act of bravery highlights Johanna's transformative journey and newfound courage.
Loss and Resilience
Kidd and Johanna face further setbacks when they lose their wagon and their last horse is injured. In a moment of compassion, Kidd puts the horse down, and they are forced to continue their journey on foot through harsh conditions.
Help from the Kiowa
As they endure the heat and a brutal sandstorm, a band of Kiowa offers assistance by providing Johanna with a horse. This act of kindness symbolizes hope and the merging worlds of their backgrounds, aiding their quest toward home.
Reunion with Family
Finally reaching the Leonberger family homestead, Kidd is reluctantly forced to leave Johanna with her aunt and uncle. Though he declines their reward, he encourages them to invest in books for Johanna, emphasizing the importance of education.
Return to Johanna
Reflecting on his journey and the bonds formed, Kidd visits his late wife’s grave, resulting in an emotional goodbye. Ultimately, he rides back to Johanna, seeking her forgiveness and solidifying their bond as family.
A New Family
In a heartwarming conclusion, Kidd officially welcomes Johanna into his life as he reads the news to a gathered crowd. By introducing her as his daughter, Johanna Kidd, they cement their newfound family connection, embodying love and resilience.
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd
A seasoned former Confederate officer, Kidd is resilient and determined, navigating the complexities of his post-war life while undertaking the responsibility of guiding Johanna. His character illustrates the conflict between his past loyalties and his newfound mission to protect the innocent.
Johanna Leonberger
Johanna, initially kidnapped and raised by the Kiowa, is a young girl who embodies resilience and adaptability. Despite her traumatic past, she showcases strength and resourcefulness, ultimately forming a deep bond with Kidd that transcends their initial circumstances.
Ella Gannett
Ella runs the inn in Dallas and serves as a crucial ally for Kidd and Johanna. She possesses a deep understanding of the Kiowa culture, acting as a bridge between Kidd and Johanna's worlds, showcasing the theme of empathy amidst division.
Farley
Farley is portrayed as a racist cattle baron who represents the violent oppression of non-white individuals during this tumultuous period. His character amplifies the film's exploration of societal conflict and the struggle for justice.
Time period
1870
The film takes place in 1870, a period marked by the turmoil and socio-political changes following the United States Civil War. The era is characterized by the hard transition from slavery, racial tensions, and the lingering scars of conflict, as people adjust to a new societal order and norms.
Location
Texas, Dallas, Castroville, Erath County, Leonberger family homestead
The movie is set in the expansive landscapes of Texas as Captain Kidd traverses the state. Dallas represents a crucial waypoint where conflict brews amidst the tension following the Civil War, while Castroville and the Leonberger family homestead exemplify the rural life and struggles faced by families in the aftermath of the upheaval.
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Family
At its core, the film explores themes of family and connection amidst hardship. Captain Kidd’s journey with Johanna transforms from mere duty to genuine affection, culminating in their bond as a father-daughter duo. This evolving relationship demonstrates the power of love and responsibility across societal divides.
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Conflict
The narrative is steeped in conflict, both internal and external. Kidd faces moral dilemmas as he navigates post-war tensions while protecting Johanna from various threats, reflecting the broader societal struggles over race, land, and power in the aftermath of war.
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Knowledge
The theme of knowledge underpins Kidd’s character as he reads the news to communities, symbolizing the dissemination of information as both a privilege and a responsibility. By the film's end, this theme extends to Johanna's own empowerment through education, highlighting the transformative power of learning.
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