Goin' South 1978

As Henry Lloyd Moon, a notorious outlaw with a string of petty crimes under his belt, prepares to meet his maker on the gallows in Longhorn, Texas, the townspeople gather to witness his demise. Little do they know, however, that a peculiar ordinance in this dusty town holds the key to Moon’s salvation: should a lady agree to marry him and take responsibility for his reformation, he would be granted a stay of execution. The locals scrutinize Moon with a mix of fascination and disdain as he faces the noose, but one elderly woman seizes the opportunity to offer her hand in marriage. Her untimely demise only adds to the drama unfolding on the gallows.

As Moon is dragged back to face his fate once more, Julia Tate, a strong-willed Southern belle with a reputation for being as proper as she is prim, steps forward to propose an unlikely union. With no intention of loving her outlaw beau, Julia sees Moon as mere labor to be exploited in her secret gold mine beneath her property. However, as their days together pass, Henry’s rough-around-the-edges charm begins to wear down Julia’s defenses, and their partnership gradually evolves into a tentative bond.

As the lines between friendship and romance blur, the couple’s differing expectations come to a head. Henry’s desires for consummation of their marriage are met with Julia’s reluctance, culminating in a tense standoff that leaves both parties feeling bruised and uncertain. The aftermath sees Moon attempting to flee town, only to be brought back by the sheriff’s men, where he and Julia must confront the damage done and the reality of their situation.

Meanwhile, Henry’s former gang members arrive in town, introducing Julia to the intoxicating world beyond her sheltered existence. As they discover the pair’s clandestine gold mining operation, Moon’s old associates complicate matters further by sowing discord between the unlikely couple. It is amidst this chaos that a devastating cave-in at the mine forces Henry and Julia to reevaluate their relationship and face the harsh realities of their situation head-on.