Nevada Smith (1966): Cast & Plot
Nevada Smith is a 1966 crime western directed by Henry Hathaway, starring Steve McQueen as Max Sand, Arthur Kennedy and Martin Landau. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Henry Hathaway
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Solar Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Nevada Smith About?
The premise of Nevada Smith without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Called both savage and saint, Nevada Smith is the mixed‑heritage son of an Indian mother and a white father. After his father is murdered by three men over gold, Nevada vows revenge. He is taken in by a gun‑merchant who teaches him disciplined marksmanship, while love and loss shape his quest, leading to deadly confrontations with the three killers.
Nevada Smith Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- revenge
- loss of parents
- orphan
- native american
- showdown
- tough guy
- based on novel
- rifle
- state name in title
- stabbed to death
- vendetta
- racism
+38 more Show fewer
- tragic event
- anti hero
- coming of age
- loss of innocence
- mentor protege relationship
- murder of parents
- shootout
- escape from prison
- prequel
- illiteracy
- murder
- kiowa indian
- swamp
- character name in title
- title spoken by character
- gunsmith
- snakebite
- nickname in title
- loss of mother
- loss of father
- death by snakebite
- burning down a house
- retribution
- mississippi river
- teenager
- cajun
- begging for death
- dying woman
- learning to read
- saloon
- sadist
- prostitute
- fistfight
- biracial man
- rowboat
- shot to death
- louisiana
- prison trustee
Nevada Smith Cast & Characters
Steve McQueen leads the cast as Max Sand, with Arthur Kennedy as Bill Bowdre and Martin Landau as Jesse Coe. Directed by Henry Hathaway; 38 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Henry Hathaway
-
Steve McQueen as Max Sand -
Arthur Kennedy as Bill Bowdre -
Martin Landau as Jesse Coe -
Karl Malden as Tom Fitch
Also Starring in Nevada Smith
· 34 more- Brian Keith Jonas Cord
- Janet Margolin Neesa
- Suzanne Pleshette Pilar
- Paul Fix Sheriff Bonnell
- John Litel Doctor
- Pat Hingle Big Foot
- Gene Evans Sam Sand
- Ted de Corsia Hudson - Bartender
- Val Avery Buck Mason
- Strother Martin Strother (uncredited)
- Chuck Hayward Fitch Man (uncredited)
- Raf Vallone Father Zaccardi
- John Doucette Uncle Ben McCanles
- Iron Eyes Cody Taka-Ta (uncredited)
- Chuck Roberson Deputy (uncredited)
- Stanley Adams Storekeeper
Show all 38 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Howard Da Silva Warden
- Bert Freed Quince
- Edy Williams Saloon Girl (uncredited)
- Josephine Hutchinson Mrs. Elvira McCanles
- Joanna Moore Angie Coe - Saloon Girl
- Lyle Bettger Jack Rudabough
- Ric Roman Cipriano
- Loni Anderson Brunette Saloon Girl (uncredited)
- Steve Mitchell Buckshot
- John Lawrence Hogg
- Sandy Kenyon Clerk in Bank
- George Mitchell Paymaster
- Thordis Brandt Saloon Girl
- Merritt Bohn River Boat Pilot
- Frank Christi Prisoner (uncredited)
- David McLean Romero
- Sheldon Allman Sheriff
- Francine Pyne Saloon Girl (uncredited)
More from Henry Hathaway
More films directed by Henry Hathaway, best-rated first: True Grit, Niagara, The Sons of Katie Elder and How the West Was Won.
Nevada Smith Plot Summary
What happens in Nevada Smith from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the 1890s American West, a stark tale unfolds around Max Sand [Steve McQueen], a young man driven by a consuming need for vengeance after three outlaws—Bill Bowdre [Arthur Kennedy], Jesse Coe [Martin Landau], and Tom Fitch [Karl Malden]—torture and kill his white father and Kiowa mother, believing he guards a fortune he does not possess. This brutal act sets Max on a solitary, unyielding path across sunburned plains and dusty towns, where every step seems to sharpen his resolve even as it widens the distance between him and any chance at a quiet life. The quest to avenge his family becomes the lens through which the narrative examines loyalty, fear, and the toll of revenge.
Full summary
The whole story of Nevada Smith, scene by scene
Nevada Smith Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Nevada Smith.
How Well Do You Know Nevada Smith?
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
Which actor portrays the vengeful protagonist Max Sand?
Nevada Smith Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “万里歼仇” and “נוואדה סמית'”.
- Also known as
-
- 万里歼仇
- נוואדה סמית'
- Невада Смит
- 네바다 스미스
- ネバダ・スミス
- 西部浪子
- ล้างเลือด แดนคาวบอย
- Nevada Katilleri
Seen Nevada Smith?
Movies Like Nevada Smith
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Nevadan, Nevada and Nevada.
Nevada Smith FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Nevada Smith, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Nevada Smith?
Nevada Smith runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Nevada Smith released?
Nevada Smith was released on June 10, 1966.
Who directed Nevada Smith?
Nevada Smith was directed by Henry Hathaway.
More films by Henry Hathaway Who is in the cast of Nevada Smith?
Nevada Smith stars Steve McQueen as Max Sand, Arthur Kennedy as Bill Bowdre and Martin Landau as Jesse Coe, among 38 credited actors.
Does Nevada Smith have a post-credit scene?
No. Nevada Smith 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
