Gunman’s Walk 1958

Davy and Ed prepare for the roundup

Davy Hackett and his hot-tempered brother Ed ride out with their rancher father Lee to begin a horse roundup. They meet Cecily 'Clee' Chouard, a beautiful half-French, half-Sioux woman, and Davy apologizes for Ed's boorish behavior. A tense early mood foreshadows the conflicts to come.

Ed's harassment of Clee; Davy defends her

Ed makes unwanted advances toward Clee, and Davy, who is attracted to her, steps in to apologize for his brother's conduct. The brothers' dynamic grows more strained as Ed's arrogance clashes with family loyalty. Clee's presence complicates the ranch life from the start.

Paul joins the roundup; Ed resents him

Clee's brother Paul and two other Indians join the roundup, and Ed resents Paul's talent and hard work. Jealousy fuels the men’s competition and foreshadows future conflict. The stage is set for a dramatic race over the elusive mare.

Ed fixates on the white mare

Ed becomes obsessed with capturing the elusive white mare, supposedly for Davy, while Paul also aims to compete for the animal. His fixation drives dangerous maneuvers during the chase. The tension between the brothers deepens as the stakes rise.

Death on the cliff

In the wild chase, Ed rides Paul to a deadly fall off a cliff. The death is witnessed by the two Indians, and Ed is arrested for the act. The tragedy forces the family to confront the consequences of their rivalry.

Courtroom lies and release

In court, Ed is released after Sieverts claims he saw the incident as an accident caused by the cliff giving way. The ruling hinges on this deceit, not on the truth of what happened. Lee learns of his son's actions but remains privately silent for the moment.

Davy's love revealed; Lee disowns him

Lee discovers that Davy is in love with Clee and disowns him, widening the family rift. The decision marks a turning point as personal loyalties clash with traditional expectations. Davy's future with Clee becomes uncertain.

Sieverts' horses and Lee's generosity

Sieverts claims he has lost a group of wild horses and Lee offers him ten of his own as a gesture of gratitude for saving his son. The exchange exposes Sieverts' opportunistic nature and foreshadows further deceit. The act momentarily restores some sense of honor, though it leads to trouble.

Sieverts takes the horses; the mare becomes a target

Sieverts selects the white mare and rides through town with the horses, refusing to release the mare. Lee realizes Sieverts is dishonest but keeps silent. Ed shoots Sieverts when the man won't back down, escalating the conflict.

Ed's jailbreak and deputy shot

Ed is jailed again for his violent actions but escapes by shooting a deputy. His flight intensifies the chase and tears at what remains of the family’s fragile order. Lee and the town pursue him as the conflict nears its climax.

Confrontation between Lee and Ed

Lee tracks down Ed, and the confrontation escalates into a deadly standoff between father and son. Ed issues a challenge and prepares to draw on his father, testing every limit of family duty and pride. The tension builds toward the inevitable reckoning.

Lee shoots and kills Ed

In a devastating moment, Lee shoots and kills his son, ending Ed's violence. The act closes the tragedy and raises questions about justice, duty, and the price of pride. The family pays a heavy toll for their confining loyalties.

Return to town with Ed's body

Lee carries Ed's body back to town and, in somber reflection, asks Davy and Clee to join him in taking Ed back to the ranch. The scene marks a turn toward reconciliation and shared responsibility, even as the violence lingers in memory.