Draw! (1984) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A wounded fugitive, a returning lawman, and a town on the verge of mob violence collide in an unresolved struggle over justice.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Roadside Introduction

Moses meets Harry and admits that he hates school while boasting about Billy the Kid. Harry urges him to study, helps during a runaway horse-cart incident, and explains the brands on his back.

Key Events

• Moses Meets Harry — Moses meets Harry and tells him that he hates school. Characters: Moses, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: On the road
• An Argument for Studying — Harry urges Moses to study after hearing him praise Billy the Kid. Characters: Moses, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: On the road
• Runaway Horse Cart — Harry helps when a runaway horse cart causes trouble. Characters: Moses, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: On the road
• The Brands Explained — Harry explains that the marks on his back are brands. Characters: Moses, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: On the road
• Arrival Near Bell City — Moses and Harry head toward Bell City. Characters: Moses, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: Road toward Bell City

Bell City Turns Violent

Harry becomes involved in a money dispute with Reggie, and violence follows. The sheriff is killed, Harry is wounded, and townspeople debate lynching him or burning the hotel.

Key Events

• Money Dispute — Harry becomes entangled in a dispute with Reggie over money. Characters: Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland, Reggie Bell Location: Bell City
• Violence Erupts — Violence breaks out; the sheriff is killed and Harry is wounded. Characters: Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland, Reggie Bell, Sheriff Harmon Location: Bell City
• Mob Threats Gather — Townspeople debate lynching Harry or burning the hotel where he is staying. Characters: Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland, Bess Location: Bell City
• Bess Resists the Mob — Bess and others try to prevent the dispute from becoming a mob attack. Characters: Bess Location: Bell City

A Lawman Recalled

Wally concludes that the town needs a courageous sheriff and brings the reluctant Sam back. Sam and Harry recognize their history, but Sam says he has come to take Harry into custody for trial.

Key Events

• Wally Seeks a Sheriff — Wally decides the town needs a courageous sheriff and seeks out Sam. Characters: Deputy Wally Blodgett, Sam Starret Location: Away from Bell City
• Sam Returns Reluctantly — Wally brings Sam to town despite his protests. Characters: Deputy Wally Blodgett, Sam Starret Location: On the way to Bell City
• Old Pursuers Recognize — Sam and Harry recognize their history as pursuer and fugitive. Characters: Sam Starret, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland Location: Bell City
• Arrest or Public Shooting — Sam says he intends to take Harry into custody for trial, as townspeople appear eager for a public shooting. Characters: Sam Starret, Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland, Reggie Bell Location: Bell City

An Unresolved Standoff

Sam's sense of duty draws him back as he prepares to leave for Mexico. Wally argues for control and a judge's arrival, while Reggie rejects waiting and publicly pressures the sheriff.

Key Events

• Sam Turns Back — As Sam prepares to leave for Mexico, duty draws him back toward town. Characters: Sam Starret Location: On the way to Mexico
• Trial Delayed by Reggie — Wally tries to control the crowd and mentions an expected judge; Reggie resists waiting. Characters: Deputy Wally Blodgett, Reggie Bell Location: Bell City
• Sheriff Humiliated — Reggie demands money from the sheriff and humiliates him publicly. Characters: Reggie Bell, Sheriff Harmon Location: Bell City

Story Breakdown

• Moses Meets Harry — A boy encounters Harry on the road and reveals his dislike of school.
  • School and Billy — Moses says he hates school and boasts about Billy the Kid.
  • Harry's Advice — Harry urges Moses to study and helps during a runaway horse-cart incident.
• Marks and Journey — Harry answers Moses's question about the marks on his back before they head toward Bell City.
  • Brands Explained — Harry identifies the marks on his back as brands.
  • Toward Bell City — Moses and Harry continue toward town.
• Money Dispute — Harry's dispute with Reggie over money becomes a source of danger in Bell City.
  • Confrontation with Reggie — Harry becomes entangled in a dispute with Reggie over money.
  • Violence Erupts — A violent incident leaves the sheriff dead and Harry wounded.
• Mob Threatens Harry — The town debates violent action while Bess and others try to prevent a mob attack.
  • Hotel in Danger — Townspeople consider lynching Harry or burning the hotel where he is staying.
  • Bess Resists — Bess and others attempt to keep the situation from becoming a mob attack.
• Sam Returns to Town — Wally seeks out Sam, believing Bell City needs a courageous sheriff.
  • Wally's Appeal — Wally sets out to bring back the former lawman.
  • Reluctant Return — Wally brings Sam to town despite his protests.
• Old Nemesis Reunited — Sam and Harry confront their past as pursuer and fugitive amid pressure from the townspeople.
  • Recognition — Sam and Harry recognize one another and recall their history.
  • Trial Not Execution — Sam says he has come to take Harry into custody for trial, not simply to kill him.
• Town Conflict Unresolved — Sam's duty draws him back while Wally seeks restraint and Reggie continues to press his interests.
  • Judge Expected — Wally says a judge is expected and tries to keep the crowd under control.
  • Public Humiliation — Reggie demands money from the sheriff and humiliates him in public.

Directed by

Steven Hilliard Stern

Key Cast

• Kirk Douglas — Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland
• James Coburn — Sam Starret
• Alexandra Bastedo — Bess
• Graham Jarvis — Deputy Wally Blodgett
• Derek McGrath — Reggie Bell