The Long Riders
After the American Civil War, outlaw Jesse James forms a gang comprised of himself, his brother Frank James, Cole Younger and his two brothers, Jim Younger and Bob Younger as well as Ed Miller and his brother Clell Miller. The gang is led by Jesse James and Cole Younger. The gang starts by robbing small banks and stagecoaches in the Midwest and in their home state of Missouri. Later, the gang targets bigger prizes, such as larger banks and trains. This criminal activity attracts the attention of the railroad company owners who hire the Pinkerton Detective Agency to capture the gang. When the gang kills a few Pinkerton detectives, a war of sorts starts between the Pinkerton Agency and the James-Younger gang. Sometimes caught in the middle of it are innocent civilians. In 1876, the gang is running out of banks to rob in Missouri and decides to raid a supposedly fat bank, far up North, in the state of Minnesota. But the Pinkerton Detective Agency is setting up a trap there.
Working with a modest budget of $10.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $15.8M in global revenue (+58% profit margin).
1 win & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Long Riders (1980) exemplifies carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Walter Hill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The James-Younger gang rides through Missouri countryside in their element as successful outlaws, establishing their brotherhood and confidence in their outlaw lifestyle.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The Pinkerton attack on the James farm results in the death of Jesse's younger half-brother and maiming of his mother, escalating the conflict and making continued residence in Missouri dangerous.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The gang commits to the decision to expand their operations beyond Missouri and head north, choosing to continue as outlaws rather than disband or go straight., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Northfield raid becomes a bloodbath. The townspeople fight back viciously. Gang members are killed and wounded in graphic, slow-motion violence. The gang is destroyed., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jesse and Frank James realize they must abandon their partners and accept that the outlaw era is over. They choose survival over loyalty, breaking the brotherhood code., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Long Riders's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Long Riders against these established plot points, we can identify how Walter Hill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Long Riders within the biography genre.
Walter Hill's Structural Approach
Among the 14 Walter Hill films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Long Riders represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Walter Hill filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Walter Hill analyses, see Last Man Standing, The Warriors and 48 Hrs..
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The James-Younger gang rides through Missouri countryside in their element as successful outlaws, establishing their brotherhood and confidence in their outlaw lifestyle.
Theme
A character observes that "the times are changing" and questions how long they can keep riding, hinting at the theme of obsolescence and loyalty versus survival.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the gang's dynamics, their relationships with women, the post-Civil War Missouri setting, and mounting pressure from Pinkertons and law enforcement.
Disruption
The Pinkerton attack on the James farm results in the death of Jesse's younger half-brother and maiming of his mother, escalating the conflict and making continued residence in Missouri dangerous.
Resistance
The gang debates their options, continues smaller robberies, and deals with internal tensions. They consider whether to lay low or keep riding, while the law closes in.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The gang commits to the decision to expand their operations beyond Missouri and head north, choosing to continue as outlaws rather than disband or go straight.
Premise
The gang executes successful train and bank robberies, living out the outlaw life at its peak. Stylish montages of their exploits deliver on the western outlaw premise.
Opposition
Plans for Northfield proceed despite warnings. Tensions mount within the gang. The net tightens as they ride into unfamiliar northern territory where they're not folk heroes.
Collapse
The Northfield raid becomes a bloodbath. The townspeople fight back viciously. Gang members are killed and wounded in graphic, slow-motion violence. The gang is destroyed.
Crisis
Surviving gang members flee desperately through hostile territory, wounded and hunted. The Younger brothers are captured. The dream of the outlaw life dies in the Minnesota mud.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jesse and Frank James realize they must abandon their partners and accept that the outlaw era is over. They choose survival over loyalty, breaking the brotherhood code.
Synthesis
The James brothers escape while the Youngers face justice. The gang's women are left alone. The survivors must live with the consequences of their choices and betrayals.
Transformation
The surviving outlaws are scattered, broken, and haunted. The closing image shows the dissolution of the brotherhood, contrasting sharply with the confident riders from the opening.