Ride the High Country

Twenty years prior, Steve Judd and Gil Westrum were known as lawmen who tamed many towns in the wild west, gaining fame and respect. However, by the early 1900s, they have been forgotten and are now struggling with no jobs or prospects, reflecting the decline of their once-glorious careers.

Judd visits a thriving business community and unexpectedly meets Westrum, who is now running a crooked carnival shooting game and calling himself the 'Oregon Kid'. Westrum is trying to influence a young man, Heck Longtree, to become as corrupt as himself.

Hoping to regain his self-respect, Judd accepts his first meaningful job in years—transporting miners' gold from Coarse Gold back to the bank. He hires Westrum and Heck to accompany him for protection against frequent mountain robberies.

During the journey, Westrum and Heck secretly conspire to steal the gold for themselves. Westrum, cynical about society's sacrifices, hopes Judd will suggest stealing, but Judd remains committed to honesty.

The group spends the night at Joshua Knudsen's ranch, where Elsa, Knudsen's daughter, is kept isolated. Elsa and Heck are attracted to each other, but Elsa is engaged to miner Billy Hammond, which causes tension.

Elsa escapes her father's prison and joins Judd, Westrum, and Heck. Elsa quickly marries Billy Hammond in Coarse Gold, inciting jealousy in Heck and disgust from Billy's lecherous brothers.

Billy drunkenly slaps Elsa and attempts to force himself on her, while his brothers also try to attack her. Judd and Heck arrive just in time to rescue Elsa, with Judd blocking the attack and confronting Billy.

Judd, Westrum, and Heck confront the Hammond brothers after the marriage. Westrum pressures Judge Tolliver to lie about the legal status of the marriage. Elsa decides to ride away with Judd, Westrum, and Heck to escape the chaos.

The group arrives at the Knudsen ranch to find it massacred by the Hammond brothers. Judd and Heck are ambushed and shot but are rescued by Westrum. The Hammond brothers are killed during the ensuing gunfight, with Westrum escaping wounded.

Judd, Heck, and Elsa arrive at the ranch but find the Hammonds waiting for them. A final gunfight ensues, during which Judd is fatally injured. Westrum rides to his rescue, and Judd dies alone as Elsa and Westrum, along with Heck, ride away in love.

After Judd's death, Westrum promises to deliver the stolen gold, reflecting his loyalty and the bond formed between the two friends. The survivors, Westrum, Elsa, and Heck, ride off together into the future, honoring Judd’s final wishes.