Billy the Kid (1941): Cast & Plot
Billy the Kid is a 1941 drama western directed by David Miller, starring Robert Taylor as Billy Bonney, Ian Hunter and Brian Donlevy. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- David Miller
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Loew's Incorporated
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Billy the Kid About?
The premise of Billy the Kid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
WILLIAM BONNEY, known as Billy the Kid, is a hot‑headed gunslinger who narrowly avoids a criminal path after being taken in and employed by the peaceful rancher Eric Keating. When Keating is murdered, Billy embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance, determined to settle the score, even if it pits him against his former ally, Marshal Jim Sherwood.
Billy the Kid Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- leather jacket
- billy the kid character
- character name as title
- monument valley
- cattle rustling
- 1880s
- bullet hole in a cowboy hat
- tragic event
- classical western
- year 1880
- color remake of black and white film
- outlaw western
+38 more Show fewer
- corrupt sheriff
- deputy marshal
- desert landscape
- gun duel
- newspaper editor
- childhood friends reunited
- judge
- horseback chase
- gunslinger
- lincoln new mexico
- cattle baron
- cattle stampede
- reference to a governor
- birthday party
- left handed gunman
- ranch foreman
- racial prejudice
- murder of friend
- burial mound
- u.s. marshal
- death of employer
- western music
- unrequited love
- final showdown
- posse
- attempted murder
- killing a friend
- marriage engagement
- two gun holster
- historical fiction
- suicide by police
- ultimate sacrifice
- killed by friend
- double gun holster
- friend
- revenge
- revolver
- colt 45
Billy the Kid Cast & Characters
Robert Taylor leads the cast as Billy Bonney, with Ian Hunter as Eric Keating and Brian Donlevy as Jim Sherwood. Directed by David Miller; 47 actors are credited in all.
- Director David Miller
-
Robert Taylor as Billy Bonney - Ian Hunter as Eric Keating
- Brian Donlevy as Jim Sherwood
- Frank Puglia as Pedro Gonzales
Also Starring in Billy the Kid
· 43 more- Harry Tenbrook Man with Rifle Behind Barred Window (uncredited)
- Monte Montague Man with Rifle at Second-Floor Window (uncredited)
- Cy Kendall Cass McAndrews, Sheriff
- Gene Lockhart Dan Hickey
- Jack King Hickey Gang Member (uncredited)
- Mary Howard Edith Keating
- Henry O'Neill Tim Ward
- Lon Chaney Jr. 'Spike' Hudson
- Chill Wills Tom Patterson
- Ethel Griffies Mrs. Hanky
- Ray Teal Sammy Axel (uncredited)
- Eddie Dunn Pat Shanahan
- Frank Hagney Man in Saloon (uncredited)
- Tom London Leader (uncredited)
- Guinn "Big Boy" Williams Ed Bronson (blacksmith)
- Ed Brady Vagrant #2 (uncredited)
Show all 47 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Grant Withers Ed Shanahan
- Mitchell Lewis Bart Hodges
- Dick Curtis Kirby Claxton
- George Chesebro Hickey Gang Member (uncredited)
- Connie Gilchrist Mildred (uncredited)
- Kermit Maynard Thad Decker
- Lew Harvey The Duke (uncredited)
- Arthur Housman Saloon Janitor (uncredited)
- Slim Whitaker Butch - Keating's Hired Hand (uncredited)
- Joe Yule Milton
- Jules Cowles Vagrant #1 (uncredited) (uncredited)
- Ted Adams 'Buz' Cobb
- Olive Blakeney Myra Patterson
- Frank Conlan Judge Blake
- Priscilla Lawson Bessie - Barmaid (uncredited)
- Carl Pitti 'Bat' Smithers
- Earl Gunn Jesse Martin
- John Raitt Baritone in 'Lazy Acres' Number (uncredited)
- Mario Costa Spanish Tenor in 'Viva La Vide' Number (uncredited)
- Buck Mack Gambler (uncredited)
- Obed 'Bubb' Pickard Jr. Singer at the Party (uncredited)
- Ruth Pickard Colwell Singer at the Party (uncredited)
- James Pickard Singer at the Party (uncredited)
- Leila May Pickard Singer at the Party (uncredited)
- Ben Pitti Hickey Gang Member (uncredited)
- Ann Pickard Rhea Singer at the Party (uncredited)
- Wesley White Bud (uncredited)
More from David Miller
More films directed by David Miller: Goldie and the Boxer, Bittersweet Love, Executive Action and Hail, Hero!.
Billy the Kid Plot Summary
What happens in Billy the Kid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
1880 marks the era of legendary gunslingers in Lincoln, New Mexico, and the notorious Billy Bonney [Robert Taylor] is already a figure of fear and fascination. In a bold move to help his friend Pedro Gonzales [Frank Puglia], Billy meddles with the local jail, aiding Pedro’s escape from a system that has kept him confined by a sheriff who treats ethnicity as a crime. The two men slip back into a town atmosphere that still carries the sting of prejudice, and they soon run afoul of power. The harsh sheriff Cass McAndrews [Cy Kendall] keeps a tight grip on the region, and his presence looms large as Billy’s past and present collide.
Full summary
The whole story of Billy the Kid, scene by scene
Billy the Kid Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Billy the Kid.
How Well Do You Know Billy the Kid?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year does the story take place?
Billy the Kid Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Der letzte Bandit” and “Billy el niño”.
- Also known as
-
- Der letzte Bandit
- Billy el niño
- Terra selvaggia
- Billy the Kid le réfractaire
- Billy, a kölyök
- Gentil Tirano
Seen Billy the Kid?
Movies Like Billy the Kid
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Billy the Kid, I Shot Billy the Kid and The Kid from Texas.
Billy the Kid FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Billy the Kid, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Billy the Kid?
Billy the Kid runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Billy the Kid released?
Billy the Kid was released on May 30, 1941.
Who directed Billy the Kid?
Billy the Kid was directed by David Miller.
More films by David Miller Who is in the cast of Billy the Kid?
Billy the Kid stars Robert Taylor as Billy Bonney, Ian Hunter as Eric Keating and Brian Donlevy as Jim Sherwood, among 47 credited actors.
Does Billy the Kid have a post-credit scene?
No. Billy the Kid has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
