Warlock

The Citizens' Committee of Warlock hires Clay Blaisedell, a renowned gunfighter, to bring order to the unruly mining town. The community fears the cowboys' lawlessness, but some like Judge Holloway worry about giving a single man such power. Blaisedell accepts the role, knowing the town lacks formal authority to appoint a marshal.

Blaisedell arrives in Warlock with his devoted, clubfooted friend Tom Morgan, a skilled gunman and gambler. Morgan is brought along as part of the 'package,' despite his rough reputation and drinking. The pair are ready to impose order on the town.

Blaisedell and Morgan confront Abe McQuown's men in an intimidating display of power and resolve, but the clash remains bloodless. The cowboys retreat, and even Johnny Gannon, a deputy-in-waiting, refrains from backing them, sensing the town's danger. The town grows wary of the new marshal and his ally.

Lily Dollar comes to Warlock aboard the stagecoach, accompanied by Bob Nicholson, brother of the recently killed Ben Nicholson. Lily wants Blaisedell dead to punish Morgan, who she still blames for Ben's death. The reunion sets the stage for a personal vendetta that will complicate the town's new order.

Morgan spots a stagecoach robbery in progress and uses the opportunity to shoot Bob Nicholson unseen. He keeps his action hidden as Lily arrives and correctly surmises that Morgan pulled the trigger. The incident deepens Lily's resolve against Blaisedell and Morgan.

Blaisedell and a posse arrest the robbers without bloodshed, but the sheriff disapproves of Blaisedell's methods. In a twist, Johnny Gannon accepts an offer to become Warlock’s new resident deputy, aligning himself with the marshal. The town's uneasy peace teeters as McQuown eyes the situation with cunning.

The robbers, including Billy Nicholson, are cleared by a jury intimidated by McQuown's smooth-talking pressure. The verdict undermines any faith in the legal process and fuels the town's sense of injustice. Gannon's position as deputy grows more critical as tensions mount.

Billy and the other regulators return to challenge Blaisedell and Morgan in the street. A cowboy tries to shoot Blaisedell in the back, but Morgan spots him and fires first. Blaisedell then kills two others, including Billy, halting the regulators for the moment.

Curley, McQuown's agreeable lieutenant, posts wanted notices declaring the cowboys regulators in mockery of Blaisedell's authority. Gannon vows to stop any regulators from taking over Warlock, heightening the town's hostility toward the marshal and his deputy. The power struggle intensifies as the town’s factions line up.

Despite the mounting resentment toward Blaisedell, he begins a relationship with Jessie Marlow and contemplates marriage and a quieter life in Warlock. Morgan feels threatened and more jealous of the deputy's influence. The uneasy balance in town life starts to tilt toward a final showdown.

Gannon faces the cowboys with the town’s support and, aided by Curley, defeats McQuown and breaks up the regulators for good. The victory shifts the balance of power and makes Blaisedell's leadership appear precarious in the aftermath. Morgan's resentment at the growing heroism of Gannon deepens.

Clay Blaisedell discovers the truth about the Nicholson brothers' deaths and realizes Morgan's role in them. He turns his back on Morgan, further fracturing the bond that had kept the town polarized. The two former allies stand on opposite sides as the night grows darker.

In a drunken state, Morgan challenges Blaisedell and hopes to settle the score once and for all. Blaisedell locks Gannon away, insisting Tom Morgan is his responsibility, and the townspeople mock Morgan as he steps into the street. Morgan shoots at Blaisedell's hat, and Blaisedell returns fire, fatally wounding Morgan in a single, tragic moment.

Blaisedell carries Morgan's lifeless body into the saloon and, in a grim gesture of finality, burns the building. Gannon warns Blaisedell that he will arrest him if he does not leave town. Jessie refuses to accompany Blaisedell on his departure.

The next day, Blaisedell and Gannon face each other in a final showdown. Blaisedell outdraws Gannon, but instead of claiming victory, he casts his golden-handled revolvers into the sand and rides out of Warlock. Jessie stays behind as a new balance settles over the town.