Later, they go to a farm where Butch stole another car, and it’s at that time they find the body of the dead prison guard. But that is called into question when the trio find Terry’s dead body, and they now know that Butch is a killer. However, it was his time at the prison that turned Butch into a criminal, and Red hopes to catch Butch alive to make up for that mistake. But Red knew that Butch’s father was a criminal and was afraid returning him home would turn him into a career criminal, so he told the judge to send him to a juvenile prison to escape that fate. Since it was his first offense, he was only going to let a slap on the wrist. Red was a sheriff when he arrested a young Butch for stealing a car. Red tells Sally that he has a personal interest in Butch Haynes. Red is reluctant to allow a woman to accompany him, but her knowledge of criminal behavior, especially once they learn about the young hostage, places her in Red’s good graces. They are criminologist Sally Gerber (Laura Dern) and FBI agent Bobby Lee (Bradley Whitford). He is given the governor’s airstream trailer to work out of, as well as two helpers. Meanwhile, Texas Ranger Red Garnett (Clint Eastwood) has been put in charge of finding the escapees.

Butch and Philip then drive off, still with the guard’s car.

This angers Butch, who takes the gun from Philip and kills Terry. While Butch is getting supplies from a general store, Terry tries to molest Philip. Terry is slapping around Philip, so Butch takes his gun away and gives it to Philip. He agrees and the trio drive off as the sun starts to rise. The noise draws the attention of a neighbor carrying a rifle, but Butch tells him not to shoot in fear of hitting the boy. They decide they need a new hostage to help with their escape, so Butch and Terry take her 8-year-old son Philip (T.J. Terry kills the guard and stuffs him in the trunk, so they drive into town looking for a different car or a hideout and end up at the home of a single mother and her three children. Set in Texas on Halloween night 1963, just a few weeks before JFK’s fateful visit, inmates Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) and Terry Pugh (Keith Szarabajka) escape from the prison in Huntsville, stealing a guard’s car and taking him hostage. Butch dies, and both Red and Sally punch out Bobby Lee. When Butch is handing Philip the postcard, Bobby Lee shoots him, thinking he’s going for a weapon. Philip is reunited with his mother, who promises Butch she will let him out into the world more often and to enjoy what life has to offer. Philip shoots Butch with his own gun, but later apologizes for doing so.

A perfect world movie quotes