Shalako

In 1880, Bosky Fulton leads a hunting party of European aristocrats, their servants, and a retired American politician and his wife into Apache territory in New Mexico. The expedition immediately encounters the dangers of the land and the looming possibility of conflict with the Apaches.

Irina wanders away from the group and is attacked by Apache warriors. Shalako, a former U.S. Cavalry officer who has a stake in keeping non-Indians off the land, rescues her and accompanies her back toward safety.

Shalako and Irina are escorted back to the rest of the hunting party, but Apache warriors close in around them. They pledge to the Apache chief that they will remove the outsiders from the land, and the chief agrees, though his son Chato vows to challenge Shalako in single combat.

Shalako urges the hunting party's leader to retreat from the land, but Baron von Hallstatt refuses to abandon the expedition. The two men quickly develop a mutual dislike that colors their interactions for the rest of the journey.

Shalako rides off to summon Army support, but Apaches mount an attack that could overwhelm the group. A smoke signal ruse from a distance creates a temporary lull, buying them time to regroup.

Taking advantage of the lull, Fulton and his men seize the hunting party's main stage coach along with weapons and supplies. The remaining party members are left exposed and dependent on the Apaches for survival.

Seeing the hopeless situation, Lady Daggett abandons Sir Charles Daggett and becomes Fulton’s lover. The revelation underscores the opportunistic nature of the expedition and its participants.

Shalako returns to the stranded group with weapons and supplies he had advised them to stash away. He plans to lead the party on foot toward a plateau that will offer temporary safety from the Apache attack.

The Apaches attack the stage coach again, slaughtering Fulton’s men and killing Lady Daggett. Fulton, who witnesses her death, begins to reassess his loyalties and subsequently joins the hunting party.

Having witnessed Lady Daggett's murder, Fulton shifts sides and joins the rest of the group in their struggle for survival. His presence alters the dynamics of leadership and danger as they press toward safety.

The humiliated Sir Charles Daggett challenges Fulton to a duel, and they fatally shoot each other. With two leaders dead, the party's internal tensions intensify as they face the Apache threat together.

Chato confronts Shalako in a spear duel but is defeated. His father the Apache chief grants safe passage to Shalako and the surviving Europeans in exchange for his son's life. With safety secured, Shalako rides off into the western landscape with Countess Irina.