John Wayne and Robert Mitchum star in this classic western based on Harry Brown's novel. After turning down a job helping evil land baron Bart Jason (Edward Asner) drive a family off a patch of sought-after land, ex-gunslinger Cole Thornton (Wayne) is dismayed to learn that his friend J.P. Harrah (Mitchum), the El Dorado town sheriff, has descended into alcoholism after the stress of trying to combat the ruthless baron and his cronies became too much.
Accompanied by his new partner Mississippi (James Caan), Thornton rides back into town in a bid to save Harrah and finally put an end to Jason's reign of terror.