The Desert Man Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Desert Man.
The Desert Man Ending Explained: Hart directs and stars in a film that is a typical Western of the era. Directed by William S. Hart, this 1917 western film stars William S. Hart (Jim Alton), alongside Margery Wilson as Jennie, Buster Irving as Joey, Henry Belmar as Razor Joe. Rated 0/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of The Desert Man?
William S. Hart directs and stars in a film that is a typical Western of the era. He plays Jim, a prospector who lands in the town of Broken Hope, and the name pretty much describes its inhabitants. Jim meets and falls in love with Jennie (Margery Wilson), whose father (Walt Whitman) is gravely ill. Jim rounds up a reluctant doctor from another town to tend to the old man, but he dies anyway. The doctor, however, gains Jennie's trust and she runs off with him. Only then does he tell her he's already married. She leaves immediately, but is too proud to go home so she finds work as a dance hall girl at Tacoma Jake's saloon. Jim, meanwhile, finds gold near Broken Hope, which raises its inhabitants' attitudes considerably. But the bad element is still there, and Jim is chasing after a group of kidnappers when he enters Tacoma Jake's saloon and sees Jennie. Jim not only overcomes the bad guys, he gets the girl, too.
William S. Hart's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on William S. Hart (Jim Alton)'s journey. He plays Jim, a prospector who lands in the town of Broken Hope, and the name pretty much describes its inhabitants.
How Does William S. Hart (Jim Alton)'s Story End?
- William S. Hart: William S. Hart's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Margery Wilson (Jennie): Margery Wilson's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Buster Irving (Joey): Buster Irving's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Desert Man Mean?
The ending of The Desert Man brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of William S. Hart's story may not satisfy all audiences.