The Ballad of a Gunfighter

The Ballad of a Gunfighter

Year: 1964

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Bill Ward

Western

An outlaw hunted for a bounty crosses paths with a marginalized woman also marked by society. A former Confederate rides the frontier, stealing stagecoaches to fund aid for the local poor. His plans clash when he confronts a gang of robbers whose motives are far less altruistic.

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Timeline & Setting – The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

The tale unfolds in the American West during the late 1800s, a period of gunfighters, stagecoaches, and gold shipments. Lawmen and amnesty policies reflect a fragile frontier justice system. The setting highlights rugged codes of honor and personal loyalties that drive Marty's choices.

Location

San Angelo, Texas, El Paso

San Angelo, Texas serves as the rough frontier town where the story unfolds, centered around a cantina. The landscape features dusty streets, a nearby river, and rocky outcrops typical of the Texas frontier. El Paso is referenced in Secora's past, linking the town to a wider western world.

🗺️ Western town 🏜️ Frontier 🌵 Texas landscape

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:34

Main Characters – The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964)

Meet the key characters of The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marty Robbins

A skilled gunfighter who rides into San Angelo with a blend of bravado and generosity. He buys drinks for the cantina workers and gifts for the girls, while balancing his own longing for Secora with a sense of duty to the town. His pursuit of Secora is tempered by a desire to do the right thing, even when danger closes in.

🗡️ Gunfighter 💪 Protector 💞 Romantic

Secora (Joyce Redd)

A woman with a troubled past who longs for a fresh start but fears repeating old patterns. Her relationship with Marty drives much of the story, while her past makes her wary of love and commitment. She becomes a focal point for affection, danger, and ultimately tragedy.

💃 Survivor ❤️ Romantic 🗺️ Independent

Felina (Laurette Luez)

Owner of the cantina where Marty stops for drinks and gifts. She acts as a pragmatic ally in town and hints at a harsher past in El Paso. Her presence helps shape the community dynamics and Secora's options.

🏪 Cantina owner 🤝 Ally 🗺️ Western world

Padre (Nestor Paiva)

The town priest who voices moral guidance and challenges theft as a sin. He consoles Miguelito and urges characters toward mercy and reflection. His calm wisdom provides a counterweight to the violence around him.

🙏 Priest 🕊️ Moral guide 🗡️ Mediator

Miguelito (Michael Davis)

A small boy who helps tend Marty's horse and serves as a humane link between the gunfighters and the townspeople. His simple kindness anchors the human side of the story. He embodies innocence amid danger.

🧒 Child 🐴 Animal lover 🤝 Helper

Alan McCord (Robert Barron)

A crooked businessman turned would-be lawman who aggressively pursues Secora for leverage over Marty and the gold. He orchestrates danger and manipulation, turning personal desire into deadly plans. His actions catalyze the climactic violence that ends in tragedy.

🕴️ Antagonist 🗡️ Opportunist 🗺️ Power-seeker

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:34

Major Themes – The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964)

Explore the central themes of The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💗 Love and Sacrifice

Marty and Secora's relationship develops amid danger, testing trust and commitment. Marty offers protection and kindness, while the past threatens to unravel their bond. Their romance becomes a beacon of hope in a harsh frontier town, ending in heartbreak.

⚖️ Duty & Vengeance

Amnesty and ranger service create a tension between lawful duty and personal vendetta. Alan's pursuit of Secora and Marty's wealth escalates into a cycle of violence. The narrative questions whether loyalty can coexist with a fair, impersonal system.

🌪️ Fate and Tragedy

Events unfold toward a fated confrontation where choices propel a grim end. Secora's decisions and Marty's protective actions set the stage for the tragedy. The frontier setting amplifies how love and loyalty collide with violence.

🕊️ Redemption and Mercy

The Padre's guidance offers mercy in a world of gunfire, reminding characters of higher values. Marty embodies a code of honor that aims to protect others, even at great personal cost. The story invites reflection on whether forgiveness is possible after betrayal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:34

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The Ballad of a Gunfighter Summary

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The Ballad of a Gunfighter Summary

The Ballad of a Gunfighter Timeline

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The Ballad of a Gunfighter Timeline

More About The Ballad of a Gunfighter

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The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow