The Reivers (1969)

49% of users liked it
(1,051 ratings)

Adapted from William Faulkner's final novel, The Reivers top-bills Steve McQueen, but the major character is feisty 11-year-old Lucius McCaslin, played by Mitch Vogel. Growing up in Mississippi in the early 1900s, Lucius finds himself (through a hectic series of circumstances) in a bordello, where… More Adapted from William Faulkner's final novel, The Reivers top-bills Steve McQueen, but the major character is feisty 11-year-old Lucius McCaslin, played by Mitch Vogel. Growing up in Mississippi in the early 1900s, Lucius finds himself (through a hectic series of circumstances) in a bordello, where he is nearly killed trying to defend the "fast lady" (Sharon Farrell) who has befriended him. He has been brought to the house of ill repute by ne'er-do-well farm hand Boon Hoggenbeck (Steve McQueen), with whom he has been tooling about the countryside in a vintage automobile, together with his very distant African-American relative Ned (Rupert Crosse). This adventure segues into the next, as the three man combine their resources to train a broken-down racehorse. Meanwhile, Vogel's grandfather (Will Geer), who owns the fancy automobile that the "reivers" hope to win back, threatens to reappear at any moment to tan Lucius's bottom. Not exactly as wholesome as a Disney film, The Reivers is nonetheless acceptable family entertainment, with Steve McQueen delivering one of his best and most laid-back performances. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Mark Rydell
Written By: Harriet Frank Jr. / Irving Ravetch, Frank Harriet,
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Jun 14, 2005
Studio: Viacom

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A well acted adaptation of William Faulkner's last novel, offering good roles for Steve McQueen and Rupert Cross, only the second black to receive an oscar nomination by 1969.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Fine adventure tale.

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Cast

            Steve McQueen as Boon Hoggenbeck

            Sharon Farrell as Corrie

            Will Geer as Boss McCaslin

            Rupert Crosse as Ned McCaslin

            Mitch Vogel as Lucius McCaslin

            Lonny Chapman as Maury McCaslin

            Juano Hernandez as Uncle Possum

            Clifton James as Butch Lovemaiden

            Ruth White as Miss Reba

            Michael Constantine as Mr. Binford

            Dub Taylor as Dr. Peabody

            Diane Shalet as Hannah

            Diane Ladd as Phoebe

            Ellen Geer as Sally

            Pat Randall as May Ellen

            Charles Tyner as Edmonds

            Gloria Calomee as Minnie

            Sara Taft as Sarah

            Lindy Davis as Otis

            Raymond Guth as Uncle Ike

            Logan Ramsey as Walter Clapp

            Jon Shank as Joe Poleymus

            Ella Mae Brown as Mrs. Possum

            John McLiam as Van Tosch

            Lou Frizzell as Doyle

            Roy Barcroft as Ed

            Billy Green Bush as Patron

            Owen Bush as Pete Hyde

            Vinnette Carrol as Aunt Callie

            Bert Conway as Billy Hebb

            Shug Fisher as Cousin Zack

            John "Red" Fox as Heasley

            Jimmy Goodwin as W.J. Carver

            Michael Hinn as Joe Dobbs

            Al Hopson as Al Boyce

            Allyn Ann McLerie as Alison McCaslin

            Burgess Meredith as Narrator

            James Rawley as Paul Hart

            Florence Saint Peter as Mary Possum
See full cast