Plot summary

Cole Thornton (John Wayne), the gunslinger for hire with the lightning-fast right hand, rides into the dusty town of El Dorado Texas to work for the ruthless local landowner, Bart Jason (Edward Asner). But, Jason is in dispute with his rival, Kevin MacDonald (R. G. Armstrong), whose family holds the area's water rights. Under those circumstances, and with the town's Sheriff, the alcoholic sharp-shooter and Cole's old friend, J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum), unable to help, it's up to Thornton and his trusty companion, Mississippi (James Caan), to sober up J.P. and try to stop the reign of terror of Jason and his newest bully, Nelson McCleod (Christopher George). However, Cole's old bullet wound foretells that this is not going to be an easy task. Can Thornton lend a hand to end this war?—Nick Riganas