40 Guns to Apache Pass (1967) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Doug was the younger Malone brother who had never experienced combat. When Mike disobeyed orders and went off to fight the Apaches, Doug was left to guard the horses but was too frightened by the attack to come to his brother's aid. He hid behind rocks and sobbed while Mike was killed. The other soldiers discovered him crying and scorned him as a coward, especially after he overheard Captain Coburn say he had no use for "a worthless yellow kid."

• doug malone
• mike malone
• coward
• apache attack
• brother

Corporal Bodine had already shown his unreliable nature when Coburn disciplined him for stealing rationed water. After the survivors rendezvoused with the rifle consignment, Bodine and four other soldiers decided to take the guns and desert to Mexico to sell them for profit. Bodine saw an opportunity to enrich himself rather than complete the mission, showing his greed and lack of loyalty.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Bodine was punished for stealing water from the other soldiers, establishing his selfish character.

• corporal bodine
• desertion
• stealing rifles
• mutiny
• mexico

After Coburn freed himself from the exploding wagon and returned to Apache Wells, Colonel Reed refused to spare any men and threatened Coburn with court-martial for the failed mission. However, Coburn knew the stolen rifles were crucial for defending Apache Wells against the Apaches. He decided to pursue Bodine alone despite the orders because he understood that losing the rifles would doom the homesteaders to defeat.

• captain coburn
• colonel reed
• disobeying orders
• pursuit
• court-martial

The repeating rifles represented a significant military advantage. Apache Wells needed these guns to defend against Cochise's war party. Coburn was tasked with either bringing in the consignment or preventing the Apaches from getting them. The rifles could turn the tide of battle, which is why both sides wanted them, the Army needed them for defense, while Bodine planned to sell them to Cochise for gold.

• repeating rifles
• apache wells
• cochise
• weapons
• defense

After Doug joined the deserters, Bodine lit a fuse on a keg of dynamite in the wagon to which Coburn was tied, intending to kill him and First Sergeant Walker. However, Coburn managed to free himself from his bonds seconds before the wagon exploded. He then carried the wounded Walker back to Apache Wells, escaping death by only moments.

• dynamite
• wagon explosion
• escape
• corporal bodine
• first sergeant walker

Doug joined Bodine's deserters after being branded a coward, but he still had lingering loyalty to Coburn. When Bodine's men guarded the rifle cache, Doug was still smarting from Coburn's harsh words about him. However, when he saw Coburn attacking the deserters alone, Doug found new courage and joined the fight, helping kill the other deserters and recover the rifles. This act redeemed him in Coburn's eyes.

Foreshadowing: Doug's earlier shame and overhearing Coburn call him worthless created the emotional tension for his redemption.

• doug malone
• redemption
• courage
• deserters
• rifle cache

Cochise was willing to meet Bodine under a flag of truce because Bodine offered to lead him to where the stolen rifles were hidden. The Apaches wanted those weapons to strengthen their position against the settlers and soldiers. Cochise likely assumed the truce would give him access to the rifles without immediate combat, though the truce was ultimately used by Bodine as a means to arrange the trade.

• cochise
• flag of truce
• apache
• trading rifles
• gold

Doug redeemed himself by overcoming his fear and actively helping Coburn defeat the deserters at the rifle cache. When Coburn single-handedly attacked the deserters guarding the weapons, Doug chose to join the fight rather than hide again. After the battle, Coburn extended his hand to Doug, showing he now respected him as an honorable soldier. Doug then delivered the rifles to Apache Wells and led the rescue party that saved Coburn from the Apaches.

• doug malone
• redemption
• hero
• captain coburn
• respect

Mike Malone was the older brother of Doug Maloney. During an attack on the road to Apache Wells, Mike disobeyed Captain Coburn's orders and went off to fight the Apaches instead of guarding the horses. He was killed during the battle, and his younger brother Doug was unable to help him because Doug was hiding in fear. Mike was last seen alive pleading for his brother's help.

• mike malone
• killed
• apache attack
• brothers
• death

The soldiers scorned Doug as a coward when they discovered him hiding behind rocks and sobbing while his brother Mike was being killed. They saw his refusal to fight as shameful, especially in the context of frontier warfare where courage was valued above all. This contempt was reinforced when Coburn himself expressed that he had no use for "a worthless yellow kid," which Doug overheard, deepening his shame.

• doug malone
• soldiers
• coward
• scorn
• captain coburn

After Doug delivered the recovered rifles to Apache Wells, he explained what had happened to Colonel Reed. The colonel then ordered the rifles issued to the soldiers and sent a rescue party, with Doug leading them to where Coburn was besieged. The rescue arrived just as Coburn was almost out of ammunition, driving off the Apaches and allowing Coburn to finish off Bodine in a final shootout.

Foreshadowing: Coburn's delaying tactic with five rifles bought crucial time for the rescue to arrive.

• rescue party
• apache wells
• colonel reed
• ammunition
• shootout

Captain Bruce Coburn was first ordered to escort homesteaders to Apache Wells so they could concentrate their defense against Apache raiders. After the attack at Apache Wells killed homesteader Harry Malone, Coburn was sent to secure a consignment of repeating rifles that could help defend the settlement. The film follows his efforts to protect these weapons from both the Apaches and traitorous soldiers like Bodine.

• captain coburn
• escort mission
• homesteaders
• apache wells
• rifles