The Train Robbers

The Train Robbers 1973

Directed by

Burt Kennedy

Burt Kennedy

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Plot Summary


As the veil of mourning gradually lifted from her tear-filled eyes, Mrs. Lowe bravely decided to unveil the truth about her late husband Matt’s troubled history. The shocking revelation of his involvement in a daring train robbery had tarnished their family name, and she felt compelled to restore their honor by disclosing where the stolen $500,000 in gold was hidden. However, the cunning outlaw Lane slyly convinced her to change her plans. He promised that if they teamed up to recover the gold, he would ensure she received a hefty portion of the $50,000 reward offered by the railroad for its return.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Lane pulled together a ragtag group of old acquaintances and embarked on a perilous mission into Mexico to find the elusive treasure. Their journey was filled with danger, as they faced relentless pursuit from a band of ruthless ex-train robbers determined to seize the valuable loot. To complicate matters, an unseen Pinkerton agent worked non-stop for Wells Fargo, tracking their every movement.

As the stakes escalated, and with battles becoming increasingly intense, Lane’s motley crew finally returned to Texas with the gold in hand. In a gripping final showdown, they prepared to deliver the valuable cargo to Mrs. Lowe, advising her to keep the reward for herself and her son as a gesture of newfound respect. However, just as they stood at the edge of the departing train, an unexpected confrontation with the Pinkerton agent unveiled a shocking revelation: Matt Lowe had never been married, and the woman posing as his widow was, in fact, Lilly, a clever prostitute who had expertly orchestrated this entire scheme to manipulate them into retrieving the gold for her own selfish purposes.

With this astonishing twist, Lane’s band of outlaws morphed into a gang of robbers, now targeting the very train that contained their ill-gotten gains. As the credits began to roll, it became evident that Lilly’s deception would forever change the trajectory of their lives, leaving behind a trail of chaos and betrayal in its wake.

Timeline


Mrs. Lowe's Revelation

Mrs. Lowe, mourning the loss of her husband Matt, uncovers the shocking truth about his involvement in a train robbery. She feels an urgent need to restore their family honor by revealing the hidden location of the stolen gold.

The Offer from Lane

Lane, a cunning outlaw, persuades Mrs. Lowe to team up with him in a quest to recover the stolen gold. He promises her a substantial portion of the $50,000 reward offered by the railroad for its return.

Gathering the Crew

Lane gathers a diverse group of old acquaintances, forming a seemingly mismatched team for their daring mission. Together, they prepare to embark on a perilous journey into Mexico in search of the elusive treasure.

The Dangerous Journey

The journey into Mexico proves to be fraught with danger, as Lane's group faces relentless pursuit from ex-train robbers who want the treasure for themselves. The crew must stay vigilant to evade the threats pursuing them.

Mexico

The Pinkerton Agent

Unbeknownst to Lane and his crew, a Pinkerton agent is tirelessly tracking their every move. The agent works for Wells Fargo and is determined to thwart their plans to recover the stolen gold.

Return to Texas

After a series of intense skirmishes and narrow escapes, Lane’s ragtag crew successfully returns to Texas with the gold in tow. The crew feels a swell of pride as they approach the end of their tumultuous mission.

Texas

Final Showdown

As Lane and his crew stand at the edge of a departing train to deliver the gold to Mrs. Lowe, tensions rise. They advise her to keep the reward for herself and her son, respecting her sacrifice during their quest.

Texas

The Shocking Revelation

Just as the crew is about to complete their mission, a confrontation with the Pinkerton agent reveals an astonishing secret: Matt Lowe was never married. The agent exposes that Mrs. Lowe is actually Lilly, a clever prostitute with ulterior motives.

Lilly's True Motives

The reality of Lilly's deception sinks in, as it is revealed that she orchestrated the entire scheme to manipulate Lane and the crew to retrieve the gold for her personal gain. Her actions twist the dynamic of the group and unveil layers of betrayal.

A New Target

With the shocking truths exposed, Lane's crew metamorphoses from treasure hunters into robbers. They set their sights on the very train that holds their ill-gotten gains, indicating a shift in their moral compass.

Chaos Ensues

As the credits begin to roll, it becomes apparent that Lilly's betrayal has left a wake of chaos and disruption. The lives of all involved are destined to change, creating an uncertain future filled with consequences.

Characters


Lane (Rod Taylor)

Lane is a cunning and charismatic outlaw whose charm hides a manipulative nature. He orchestrates the mission to recover the gold but ultimately reveals his selfish motives. His complexities lead to a blend of camaraderie and betrayal within the group.

👤 Outlaw 🔍 Manipulative

Mrs. Lowe (Ann-Margret)

Mrs. Lowe is portrayed as a grieving widow initially seeking to redeem her husband's name. Her emotional journey transforms her into a determined individual willing to uncover the truth, but she is ultimately caught in a web of deception that complicates her quest.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Widow 🌹 Determined

Lilly (Ricardo Montalban)

Lilly is a clever and shrewd character who masks her true intentions behind a facade of innocence. Her deception and manipulation of the other characters reveal her as a mastermind, demonstrating how appearances can be deceiving.

🌪️ Deceptive 🎭 Manipulative

Setting


Time period

The events take place in a period reminiscent of the Old West, characterized by lawlessness and the adventurous spirit of outlaws and treasure seekers. This era often showcased dramatic clashes between justice and crime, reflecting the societal struggles of the time.

Location

Texas, Mexico

The story unfolds primarily in Texas, known for its vast deserts and rugged landscapes, which serve as the backdrop for the thrilling pursuit of treasure. Mexico is also a significant location, representing danger and adventure, as the characters embark on their quest to recover the stolen gold amidst the challenges posed by ex-train robbers.

🌵 Desert 🚂 Train

Themes


💰

Greed

Greed is a central theme in the movie, driving characters to make questionable decisions in pursuit of wealth. The allure of the stolen gold leads to betrayal and violence, revealing how the quest for riches can corrupt even the most honorable intentions.

🤝

Betrayal

Betrayal weaves through the narrative as characters manipulate each other for personal gain. The revelation of Lilly's true identity demonstrates how trust can be easily shattered, leaving behind chaos and uncertainty for those who believed in loyalty.

⚔️

Conflict

Conflict arises not just from physical confrontations but also from ideological clashes among the characters. The tension between the outlaws and the Pinkerton agents symbolizes the broader struggle between law and disorder, culminating in an explosive finale.

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