The Ballad of a Gunfighter

Marty rides across the rugged terrain as the orchestra swells. He reaches a rocky outcrop where a stagecoach passes, then climbs onto the roof and drops the strongbox to the ground. He shoots the lock, gathers the sacks of gold on his horse, and rides away while the pursuing men push to close the gap. He stays one step ahead as the road unfurls behind him.

The men who waited on the road give chase, determined to recover the loot. Marty navigates the landscape with calm speed, using hills and brush to hide his trail. The pursuit strains but he pulls away, leaving the dust to settle behind him. The road resumes its quiet, signaling a temporary victory for the bandit hero.

Marty rides into town as its bustle hums around the streets. A small boy named Miguelito rushes to offer help with the tired horse. Marty tosses a sack onto the street and tells the boy to take it to the Padre to give to the poor, signaling a nod to his hidden generosity.

Marty steps into Felina's cantina and buys drinks for everyone, proclaiming gifts for the girls who work there. He notices Secora among the workers, and their first exchanges hint at a shared resolve and a dangerous past. The cantina becomes the stage for alliances and temptations alike.

Alan McCord, a crooked businessman, proposes joining forces with Marty, claiming he knows the terrain and the people. Marty flatly refuses the offer, signaling his independence and wary trust for the locals. The tension between them foreshadows the conflicts to come.

While riding out, Marty sees Secora driving a buckboard and he chases it to the river. Secora attempts to swim, but Marty stops her and cautions her against exposing herself in front of a man. She speaks of a history of abuse, revealing a wounded psyche that complicates any chance at romance.

Marty visits the Padre to seek counsel about Secora. The Padre explains that Secora comes to the church to pray during the week and condemns stealing as a wrong that cannot be justified. The conversation emphasizes the moral stakes in a town built on quick fortunes and quick judgments.

Lawman Sam reveals that the governor will grant amnesty to anyone who joins the Rangers, and Alan joins to become a lawman. The move changes the town's power dynamics and sets Alan on a personal collision course with Marty. The revelation promises a harsh future for those who stand in the way.

Marty makes a second proposal to Secora, hoping for a future together, but she refuses to marry him. The moment underscores the barriers created by her past and the danger that surrounds both of them. The refusal spurs Marty to consider leaving the area for good.

Secora expresses a desire to leave the cantina life behind, and Felina helps her find a job as a hotel waitress. With Secora out of sight, Alan's interest revives, and he asks Felina to speak with Secora about a future with him. Felina shares a cautionary tale of jealousy and love that once led to tragedy.

Secora tells Alan she will not marry him, but he implies that Marty will die unless they marry. The tension tightens as loyalties shift and the town braces for a violent confrontation. The threat foreshadows the coming showdown.

Marty rides into town as the song San Angelo swells in the background. Secora and Alan stay in an office, watching for danger as Marty scans the street for the trap. Secora rushes to Marty's side, a moment that sets the stage for the fateful clash.

Alan bursts onto the street and fires at Secora, who falls to the ground. Marty draws and shoots Alan until his bullets run dry, but Alan's men return fire and mortally wound Marty. Secora, barely alive, places her hand atop Marty's before she dies, a silent testament to their bond.

Townspeople gather around the fallen, distressed by the toll of the feud. The Padre, Miguelito, and Secora's memory linger as the town contemplates the price of love and revenge. The final scene suggests a bittersweet closure as the two hands touch one last time in the fading light.