The Lone Ranger (2013), directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Disney, is a Western adventure with a mix of action, comedy, and myth-making. While visually striking and featuring Johnny Depp in a very eccentric performance as Tonto, the film was also one of Disney’s biggest box office flops. Let’s dive deep into everything about this movie.
The story is framed as an older Tonto (Johnny Depp), now working in a sideshow in 1933 San Francisco, recounting the tale of how he met lawyer John Reid (Armie Hammer), the man who became the Lone Ranger. This framing device positions the movie as a mixture of myth, memory, and exaggeration.
John Reid Returns Home
John Reid, a by-the-book lawyer, returns to his hometown in Texas where his brother, Dan Reid, serves as a Texas Ranger. Unlike many around him, John believes in law and justice rather than vigilante violence, which puts him at odds with the rough-and-tumble world of the West. At the same time, Tonto has been arrested and sits in chains.
The Butch Cavendish Incident
Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner), a violent outlaw, escapes from custody in a train sequence that sets the stage for the central conflict. During the pursuit, John joins his brother’s posse. Cavendish ambushes the Rangers, massacring nearly all of them, including Dan. John barely survives, but is found by Tonto.
The Birth of the Lone Ranger
Tonto believes John was resurrected by a mystical “spirit horse” (Silver), and declares him a “spirit walker”—a man who cannot be killed in battle. Tonto gives John a mask made from his brother’s vest and convinces him to fight as a masked man. Reluctantly, John becomes the Lone Ranger.
Uncovering Corruption
As the duo investigates, they discover that Cavendish isn’t just a random outlaw—he’s connected to a larger conspiracy involving the expansion of the railroad and corrupt businessmen. They uncover shocking truths, including Cavendish’s disturbing act of cannibalism. The West isn’t just wild—it’s rotten to the core.
The Escalating Conflict
The Lone Ranger and Tonto embark on a chaotic journey filled with betrayals, train chases, and confrontations with both military and railroad interests. Along the way, John tries to reconcile his ideals of justice with the harsh reality of frontier life.
The climax unfolds during an epic train chase featuring two locomotives racing side by side. The Lone Ranger, finally embracing his role, dons the mask proudly and rides Silver across rooftops and railcars in a dazzling action sequence set to Rossini’s William Tell Overture—a nod to the original radio and TV series.
John rescues Rebecca (his brother’s widow, whom he secretly loves) and her son from danger. Meanwhile, Cavendish meets his downfall after the Lone Ranger and Tonto manage to derail his schemes. The corrupt railroad tycoon, Cole, also faces defeat.
By the end, John accepts his destiny as a masked vigilante, realizing the law alone cannot protect justice in such a brutal land. He decides to continue as the Lone Ranger, symbol of resistance against corruption. Tonto, however, leaves him, wandering off alone—his relationship with John complicated, but rooted in mutual respect.
The film closes with the older Tonto, still in San Francisco, completing his tale before shuffling away into the desert, blurring the line between myth and reality.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes, but they’re more of an epilogue than a Marvel-style teaser. During the credits, we see Tonto in his elderly form walking off into the horizon. It reinforces the theme of memory, legend, and the passing of the Old West rather than setting up a sequel.
Type of Movie
This is a Western action-adventure with strong comedic and surreal elements. It mixes the mythic grandeur of classic Westerns with over-the-top action sequences typical of Verbinski’s Pirates of the Caribbean style.
Cast
Armie Hammer as John Reid / The Lone Ranger
Johnny Depp as Tonto
William Fichtner as Butch Cavendish
Tom Wilkinson as Latham Cole
Ruth Wilson as Rebecca Reid
Helena Bonham Carter as Red Harrington
Barry Pepper as Captain Jay Fuller
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who infused it with sweeping orchestral themes typical of Western epics. The standout musical moment is the thrilling use of Rossini’s William Tell Overture during the climactic train sequence, directly referencing the original Lone Ranger series.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot across the American Southwest, including Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California. These landscapes were crucial in giving the film its authentic Western atmosphere, showcasing deserts, canyons, and rugged terrain that echo classic Western cinema.
Nominated for Academy Awards in Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup and Hairstyling (2014).
Nominated for Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies) in several categories, including Worst Picture, though it lost to Movie 43. The movie’s legacy is more infamous for its box office failure than its accolades.
Behind the Scenes Insights
The budget ballooned to around $225–250 million, making it one of Disney’s biggest financial risks.
Filming faced delays due to budget concerns; at one point, the project was almost canceled.
Johnny Depp’s interpretation of Tonto drew criticism for cultural appropriation, though Depp claimed Native American heritage.
Several on-set accidents occurred, including the death of a crew member in a drowning incident during filming in California.
The production reused Verbinski’s Pirates of the Caribbean stunt crew for the complex train sequences.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on the 1933 radio show The Lone Ranger and the long-running TV series of the same name. It also draws inspiration from Native American folklore (albeit controversially) and classic Western tropes.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no radically different ending exists, some deleted scenes expanded Tonto’s backstory and included more comedic beats with Silver, the horse. These were cut for pacing reasons, as the movie was already over 2.5 hours long.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is an adaptation of the Lone Ranger legacy rather than a single book. However, tie-in novels and junior novelizations were released. Differences mainly lie in tone—the books aimed at younger readers softened some of the film’s darker themes (like cannibalism).
The surreal sequence with Silver standing in a tree, playing up the mystical comedy.
The climactic dual-train chase set to William Tell Overture.
Iconic Quotes
Tonto: “There come a time, Kemosabe, when good man must wear mask.”
John Reid: “I believe in the law.”
Tonto (older): “Never take off mask.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
Silver (the horse) constantly appears in surreal, comedic scenarios—like standing on a tree branch—hinting at myth versus reality.
Tonto’s face paint was inspired by a painting of a crow spreading its wings across a man’s face.
The “Kemosabe” catchphrase is preserved from the original series.
Trivia
Gore Verbinski compared the film to a Western version of Don Quixote, with Tonto as the true narrator.
Johnny Depp’s Tonto makeup was inspired by a painting he saw in a gift shop.
The film lost around $190 million, making it one of Disney’s biggest flops ever.
Despite its failure, the train chase finale is widely praised as a masterclass in action filmmaking.
Why Watch?
Though divisive, The Lone Ranger is worth watching for its spectacular train sequences, Hans Zimmer’s score, and unique reimagining of a classic character. If you enjoy flawed but ambitious blockbusters, it’s a fascinating case study.
