The Myth of Red Harlow | Red Dead Lore

The myth of the legendary bounty hunter Red Harlow.
Intro - 0:00
Gunslinging Prodigy - 2:24
Prolific Bounty Hunter - 5:45
Legend Of red Harlow - 16:42
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[@CynicGTA]

Was gearing up to do proper analysis videos on Arthur & John. Figured i should start with the OG, focusing more on his impact of RDR’s universe. Edit: this was hit with a copyright strike. So if theres weird audio. Thats why. Sorry😭 Watch the greatest Character analysis here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iafJmqCQg8eboZYsi=3U0iDxOKPlNZOPAP

[@brodyjones4023]

Uncle is red harlow rock Star. big Secret. What do you think? 🩸🖤🦂😈

[@ungodlybeast8436]

If red Harlow actually ended up as uncle in rdr2 that would be the most depressing thing in the entire red dead universe

[@somerandomperson9670]

Atleast he died a hero.

[@demonslayer5122]

Luckily, he didn't. The age differences alone throw that theory out the window.

[@christianmino3753]

@@demonslayer5122 Even if it's a different universe or timeline, the character of Red could still exist. Just with different chronology.

[@Kable_TV]

@@christianmino3753I like the idea that red Harlow and red dead revolver is more of a fable like a story told in the west exaggerating parts of the story like call of Juarez gunslinger

[@elperrodelautumo7511]

You can say that uncle claims to be the one shot kid. Maybe he was capable of shooting. At his prime youth. But he got so lazy overtime that he only gets gung ho when very necessary.

[@prisma8375]

My headcanon is that Red Dead Revolver is a romanticized retelling of events that actually took place in the Red Dead verse, in the vein of dime novels spun by the likes of Theodore Levin, or W.W. Beauchamp from Unforgiven.

[@RonanStreamkiller]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has the same headcanon.

[@elperrodelautumo7511]

In some way. Yes it does. It’s a dime novel. But it’s based on real life events within Brimstone. Then later a novelist recreated the events of Red Harlow. Just in some romanticized way. Red would be a real survivalist bounty hunter. And red escape the law for killing governor Griffin.

[@themaskedwander]

I believe that would b the case. That's what R* do with GTA. Sure there's different universes but it can b implied some form of the events do actually happen in different universes

[@Robby_C]

100% same.

[@ShrimpGaslight]

To be fair, a sizeable chunk of RDR was developed by Capcom. So yeah maybe romanticised is the best avenue to explain how at time Capcom-tier whimsical RDR is.

[@riverliverquiver]

red harlow is the most stereotypical cowboy in RDR universe and i absolutely love him

[@jackbluehq6653]

Technically no The stereotypical cowboy is a clean shaven white wearing morally good cowboy who's very talkative. Characters like Clint Eastwoods The Man With No Name subverted this stereotype with an anti hero like gunslinger. A man of few words who's prone to violence very easily, obtains a morally grey compass, is not clean at all and wears brown instead of white. This became its own stereotype, arguably more popular now and its the stereotype Red Harlow obtains greatly

[@SIEGTHEGOATFRFR]

​@@jackbluehq6653you just agreed with him but complicated

[@KC.45]

​@@SIEGTHEGOATFRFR He said that the imagery of this Western badass bounty hunter came is another stereotype. And Red's not a cowboy, he's a bounty hunter.

[@SIEGTHEGOATFRFR]

@@KC.45 ah my bad

[@riverliverquiver]

@@jackbluehq6653 I'm talking about the RDR universe, not ours.

[@tristanjones7682]

This is one of the things that always got me with the franchise is that everybody and their mom knows john and Arthur but not Red the guy who this franchise takes it’s name from!

[@namehere903]

Games old as hell and Red Dead only got popular with RDR1.

[@tristanjones7682]

@@namehere903 they may be true but that still doesn’t mean red dead revolver was a bad game! I’ve played it myself and had some good memories beating the game and plus you got to play more than two characters considering rdr1 and 2 only have two playable characters in each game!

[@kilidaikilidai]

I hope red harlow never suffer of the terible diseas that is lumbago

[@GhostRydr1172]

He does. He's Uncle after all. Or so I heard somewhere...

[@kilidaikilidai]

@@GhostRydr1172 poor him that hell of a way to slowly died

[@manuelacosta9463]

Red was my introduction to the Western anti hero bounty hunter in video games. He is indeed a badass legend and him getting his vengeance on Griffin was a perfect ending for his arc. 'It never was about the money'.

[@Noexperience-]

W red for making gun sounds in the first loading screen

[@AngraMainiiu]

It pains me that people think Jack Marston ends up a villain after RDR1 when he's clearly a parallel to Red Harlow and it makes far more sense for him to be a hero.

[@TheDogDad]

Just what I was thinking. It's like the 1st Red game is the proto-version of who Jack becomes. Maybe the next game will bring Jack & Red together somehow.

[@douggieharrison6913]

Lol not my Jack Marston. That dude def was the most prolific serial killers in history. Killed 1,000 people in 10 mins

[@mace1535]

"It never was about the money"

[@andrediaconu2878]

it was about the Lumbago

[@christianmino3753]

It would be cool for red to be some old man (NPC) in a rocking chair smoking a cigarette on some porch at a random house somewhere and if you talk to him, he could re tell you the story of red Harlow. Even if it's a different universe or timeline, the character of Red could still exist. Just with different chronology.

[@themaskedwander]

Well Red has to exist in some form in the Redemption series considering u find NPCs talking about him. Sure the game might not take place in RDR 1 and 2 but that doesn't mean some form of events from Revolver can't have been adapted I'm pretty sure Rockstar have hinted that events from past games have taken place in some form in others

[@Emerald_Knight]

Red Harlow would be old as Landon Ricketts when John met him in Mexico Landon was in his late 50s or early 60s.

[@KC.45]

​@@themaskedwander Wrong. Rockstar has stated multiple times Red Dead Revolver is its OWN universe. Those stories referencing events from Revolver are merely Easter eggs for fans of the 2004 title, they said it themselves. Fans are really bad at doing basic lore research.

[@channel45853]

@@KC.45 they can be easter eggs and world building info, nothing in universe says otherwise.

[@themaskedwander]

@KC.45 u do realise that since NPCs know who Red is, that has to imply he has to exist in some form in universe, it can't b just easter eggs if multiple people seem to know about him. I'm not saying the game is canon to Redemption. I'm saying that some of the events of the game r. Which can b and has been allowed to happen in R* IPs They have done it all the time with GTA

[@gordonpeterson678]

This game needs a remaster.

[@ShrimpGaslight]

I think the Romanticised retelling is a good way to explain Red Dead Revolver. Its fitting since a good chunk of RDR was developed by Capcom after all. So it would explain the whimsy of the story

[@Rook6767]

Best way I’ve heard the distinction between revolver and redemption is revolver is an old west story. Red is a mythical figure told around a campfire of the great old west. Redemption is story about the west. Leaning toward more realism and something that fits something more of an actual experience (real as a video game can be).

[@CryptidRenfri]

Used to watch your channel years ago when I first started playing Red Dead. Completely forgot you exist, but I got a new PS4 and another copy of RDO finally, after not having one for nearly 2 years, and this video pops up in my recommended feed. Fate indeed. Also I'm a subscriber to the Red Harlow is Uncle theory and I'll die on that hill.

[@Robby_C]

Red Harlow doesn't get enough respect.

[@name1585]

I like to think that red dead revolver is actually a movie based off the myth of red Harlow

[@MATTHH123]

I remember when my dad rented Red Dead Revolver from Blockbuster for the PS2 me,him,and my little brother when he got older played many hrs on that game and I just recently downloaded it on the Xbox one beat the game again and completed the bounty hunter levels

[@cb-9938]

I like the theory that all Red Dead games went on too be written and publicly by Jack. Even Red dead revolver could just be a Story Jack wrote

[@convertediron]

I firmly stand by the fan theory that Uncle was Red Harlow.

[@970357ers]

I just hope there’s no pointless, half-assed Guarma-type mission/chapter in RDR3.

[@CynicGTA]

So long as they dont cut content i think itll be fine. Take mexico from rdr1 for example. If it was gutted or nothing compared to the US part of the map it would have felt just as bad as guarma.

[@kaiserwave5977]

Rdr3 needs to bring back the river monster

[@legoldenboii2965]

Good job on the vid was engaging

[@ethannot-apastafarian4123]

Governor Griffin looks like Senator Armstrong- and the resemblance doesn’t end there

[@chimera_43]

Dude, RDR3 should be Jack going to NY with Sadie and Charles. RDR4 should be the start of everything, as the Calander Boys we are Red Harlows trainees after the events of Revolver 🔥 but the Calander Boys just turn out rotten and basically are 2 versions of a meaner Arthur with Dead Eye that straight up stops time 🔥🍿

[@j-money867]

No

[@Red_Harlow]

A red dead revolver remaster would be so awesome

[@GT-oz8hn]

LOL why did he say “US Soldier?” His name was Buffalo Soldier

[@FatalShotGG]

Red Harlow went to search for Jack Swift after the events of Revolver. That's been my canon since 2008.

[@jacobfelix8577]

Who is Jack Swift lol

[@FatalShotGG]

Clearly you've NEVER played Red Dead Revolver... "Lol". Jack Swift is arguably Red Harlow's closest ally. Red saves his life from Pig Josh and from there Swift helps Red when they meet in Brimstone for the Battle Royale and when they assault Griffin's mansion. Jack Swift even fights off 3 armed guards alone while letting Red escape through a crawlspace. He definitely didn't die; if Jack Swift can take out Professor Perry and survive the Battle Royale there's no chance 3 guards whom we never see again take out Jack. My guess is something personal drove Jack to leave and pursue another goal after taking out the 3 guards, and Red Harlow went searching for him after the events of the game.

[@KC.45]

​@@FatalShotGG And you've never paid attention to Red Dead Revolver's basic story. Those weren't Pinkertons, they were a bunch known as the Cornett brothers and worked for Governor Griffon.

[@FatalShotGG]

I was 9 years old when I played it... Literally 15 years ago. Lmao. And Pinkertons? I called them guards. And there were 12 of griffin's secret service agents. Jack Swift only got held up by 3 of them. But I know who they are.... Lol. Nice try buddy

[@RebelSandGaming]

​@@KC.45 hello old friend been a long time

[@djsdesignsandcustoms4779]

Red Harlow the man before Arthur Morgan and John Marston had shocked his way into legend in rdr universe. He’s an interesting character that you tell kids bed time stories and camp fires . If you can think about it , Red Dead Revolver is the foundation of rdr franchise ever existed

[@thehappywerewolf]

If you can find one look at the map of gun. Along with the boat attack the DRR1,s real first game was gun.

[@greymamith7270]

this is the game of my childhood

[@DrthvdrVR-dm1lr]

Babe, a new cynic video came out.

[@ironkong26]

I still dont understand the reluctance of rock Star to officially link these two universes

[@sxifs_]

Ur videos help me

[@A_Skeleton]

Uncle will always be my Red Harlow

[@jasonsterlingentertainment478]

Red vs The ugly gang is a john wick prequel

[@jacksonandy218]

So i always kinda wondered, i know for a fact that john marston was heavily inspired by red but that does quite beg the question we never actually formally knew who johns parents were as i recall given that john was an outlaw but he did turn to bounty hunting. Ive actually never had let go of the fact that even in a complete universe, what if john was actually a reimagined red harlow. Tho reds name comes up in RDR as a "legend" it never actually disproved the theory. Even if dan houser has said the games are not connected, why add reds name as a "Legend" in RDR. landon rickets was in revolver and in RDR so that proves it right there. We dont know much about johns childhood before dutch taking him in. And the name john harlow sounds more in tune then john marston. Could be something worth looking into. I also had always noticed that uncle always had a fixation to john.

[@LawnXMowerXGaming]

God knew red was unstoppable so he gave him Lumbago

[@LeMeilleurr]

I think its dumb that red dosent exist in red dead, like why not? I would have rather met him than landon ricketts

[@aaronjohnson7175]

Red Harlow is GOAT of the Red Dead Series.

[@FatalShotGG]

Jack Swift only helped Red assault Governor Griffin's mansion because Red saved Jack Swift's life from Pig Josh. THIS IS WHY Red Harlow definitely goes to search for Jack Swift after the events of the game. They have a close bond

[@samulalimo6615]

Im willing to bet red Harlow would be john’s ancestor or relative.

[@mraustblitz]

Lumbago’s first victim

[@a.j.6926]

best game ever

[@V_0777]

Would love a red dead revolver remake

[@toddthegod3221]

Red dead revolver was so much fun as a kid I used to be amazed at how real it looked and how cool it was to see blood shoot from ppls heads lol

[@dominicusheard6171]

They should just make this a remake but change some of the store and just put it as Rdr3 and have the beginning saying in cursive writing "this is the real story of Red Harlow & his current events" or something along those lines

[@rdf4315]

I Love red he's one of my favorite characters in The red dead games, I know everyone would like to see him brought back in a future game, and I think I have an idea on how they can bring him back, so I want everyone to hear me out, I got a plan.

[@wbcoyote]

They NEED to remake this game

[@user-bu4lq6yl6d]

Make a video about hosea's death and how hard did hit Arthur?

[@christianperez7846]

People are wondering what the future of the RD franchise is gonna be. I hope they look to the past a little and make something weird, with a spaghetti western vibe like the original. The Redemption saga is a masterpiece, but far more polished than gritty most of the time.

[@humanshrek1836]

Then he got lumbago.

[@blessedxxiii8908]

red harlow the man the myth the legend💯

[@thickmclargehuge4448]

i like to think Red Harlow IS real in the Red Dead Universe, however compared to the other 2 games, it would not be a stretch to say that the events from the original are based on a real man but they were exaggerated to the point of Tall-Tales. just look at the over the top character designs for the named villain and you can see they dont "FIT" the other t2o games which are more based in realism. while the original has a gun with a literal cannon for an arm. it makes sense that we dont see red harlow as he most likely doesnt even look like how we are shown in the first game. just my thoughts

[@Regis1603]

He slams both John and Arthur. So OP he's a myth and non-canon

[@blessedxxiii8908]

red one shots both of them😎💯

[@sdix3770]

I’ve played em all

[@jacobfelix8577]

I’m pretty sure they made it like gta how the Ps2 world was seperate from next gen world

[@KC.45]

1:33 Why would you even make this second assumption? You could apply this logic to the HD Universe making references to the 3D canon.

[@crimsongungnir9533]

I recognize Red Harlow in his own universe is the canon, but given that it's a stupid canon decision, I've elected to ignore it.

[@Bizarrebinx]

red harlow is low-poly cowboy

[@deadpilled2942]

The Renegade Army was supposed to be made up of CSA and Mexican American war vets.

[@ItsBoiSerey]

I wasn't born when red dead revolver came out

[@justsomeguy747]

Well I personally find learning about Red’s story an interesting tale yet I don’t know whether I’ll enjoy Red Dead Revolver on account of the gameplay. It looks less playable than the old GTA games for example, and it’s on the same age as San Andreas. Sadly even if I wanted to try it out I don’t have a PS.

[@dennissinned6299]

Actually, Red Harlow does exist in the 2 RDR games. He is Uncle, based on things he mentions, the exact same scars on his face and other telltale but very discreet bits.

[@ohko_42]

I like to think that Red Harlow becomes the sheriff you team up with in RDR1 in Armadillo. He changed his identity and struck a deal with the feds to bring order to a town only recently run through by disease and death, and he helped revive Armadillo to a better existence

[@gordonpeterson678]

Leg Johnson you suppose? But his arms are okay and he looks too old for Red.

[@ohko_42]

@@gordonpeterson678 yeah it doesn’t really have strong legs to stand on but it’s just something I have as a headcannon, I much prefer it over the uncle theory

[@youdontneedtoknow106]

RDR3 so needs red in it

[@jacobfelix8577]

There’s not going to be any more Rockstar confirmed 2 was the end of the series

[@youdontneedtoknow106]

@@jacobfelix8577 Ah classic rockstar killing off something that can make them money but they are to stupid to see it....rockstar is going to fail soon

[@cuzinzach4560]

Have that many people never played rdr???

[@lemmyspeaks]

The only disappointment I had with rdr2 was the fact that they didn’t have ponchos in story mode.

[@xxxdomkc6875]

I’ve played rdr2 red dead revolver undead nightmare but not rdr1

[@swagit4174]

God I love Red Dead Revolver!!

[@gordonpeterson678]

Same. Better than Redemption.

[@tonypointet9473]

The animal is a WOLF. not a woof

[@CynicGTA]

Nah…im…im pretty sure its a woof. Im actually about 90% positive its a “widdle woof” but i gotta check my notes

[@basically_boring]

Red Harlow and Red Dead Revolver are canon and you cannot convince me otherwise. I don't care what the devs say about it, I will always consider it to be canon.

[@KC.45]

That's a subjective opinion. Don't pose it as if it were fact.

[@jackbluehq6653]

​@KC.45 he didn't pose it as facts He said "I don't care" and "I will always consider"

[@Struzzzmann]

Ok…😂 so I’m going to give a MASSIVE fake cannon universe here. “Red Harlow” Is a shortened name of a friend of a book writer who was a gunslinger but like Arthur, never wanted the fame or attention for his feats. And if this novelist never knew of the things Red did, too an extent, like others have been saying, these events all happened…. Just, very exaggerated and left to the minds wild interpretations.

[@SIEGTHEGOATFRFR]

I have a head canon that the game is played through the eyes of the gang members and it's just a story that Uncle tells everyone, claiming that it's him.

[@Struzzzmann]

@@SIEGTHEGOATFRFRhmmm…. Did uncle know of a man in his past like Red?

[@KC.45]

What kind of headcanons are this? Damn, the community is lacking in the creativity department.

[@channel45853]

@@KC.45 why are you so rude?

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

​@@channel45853sometimes you gotta be rude to dummies or they never learn

[@shadowcroshk0478]

1 minutes gang😶‍🌫😶‍🌫😶‍🌫

[@seangross5057]

This game is so wasted it should’ve been included in red dead redemption 2 and 1

[@khankake9576]

Graphics haven't aged well

[@hellraisor21]

Sorry didnt care for harlow i liked colton more than him hell my favorite cowboy till this day is lucky luke.

[@lerthapurr7479]

Bro I've tried so many times to come back and play through this game again and can't bother past the first couple levels. The gameplay is absolute shite. Atrocious aiming and graphics. Graphics aren't everything but even for it's time it looks like dirt. Great story, terrible game

[@ryougishiki1991]

"Did you ever hear about the myth of Herlow The Red?"