Rio Lobo 1970

As the tumultuous landscape of the US Civil War unfolded, a treacherous train transporting Union army gold was ambushed by a cunning group of Confederate soldiers led by the enigmatic Captain Pierre Cordona (Jorge Riveiro). In hot pursuit, Union Colonel Cord McNally (John Wayne) and his men gave chase, only to find themselves fragmented across the forest terrain. As McNally became separated from his comrades, he found himself face-to-face with Cordona, but a sudden and brutal attack by Sergeant Tuscarora Philips (Christopher Mitchum) left him reeling. The Confederates took their captive hostage, compelling him to lead them through Union territory in a desperate bid for escape. However, McNally’s cunning instincts ultimately proved his undoing, as he managed to break free and apprehend Cordona just as the Confederates were about to make their getaway.

The ensuing chaos saw most of the Rebels escape into the night, but McNally remained hot on their heels, determined to unravel the mystery behind the repeated thefts of Union gold. As the truth slowly began to emerge, it became clear that Cordona and Tuscarora were mere pawns in a larger game of deception and betrayal. Faced with the daunting prospect of imprisonment as traitors, they refused to reveal any information, leading McNally to offer them leniency in exchange for their cooperation.

The war finally subsiding into an uneasy peace, Cordona and Tuscarora found themselves released from captivity. As they began to rebuild their lives, Colonel McNally waited patiently to greet them, his demeanor a far cry from the fiery passion that had driven him during the war. Inviting them to share a drink, he expressed no ill will towards them, viewing their actions as mere products of the conflict’s brutal nature.

Yet, beneath this veneer of forgiveness lay a burning desire for justice, particularly in regards to the tragic fate of one of McNally’s own officers and friends, Lt. Forsythe, who had met his demise during one of the gold heists. The details were sketchy at best – two men, one large with dark hair, the other smaller with white hair – but McNally was convinced that they held the key to identifying the traitor responsible for the repeated thefts.

As Cordona and Tuscarora prepared to embark on a new chapter in their lives, working for the enigmatic old man, Phillips (Jack Elam), McNally imparted a parting gift: the knowledge that he remained reachable through the Sheriff of Blackthorne, Texas, should they ever uncover any further clues that might bring the perpetrators to justice. With this tantalizing prospect hanging in the balance, the stage was set for a future confrontation that would test the mettle of these three men and their unyielding commitment to truth and honor.

The tranquility of Blackthorne’s hotel was suddenly shattered when Sheriff Pat Cronin (Bill Williams) appeared, his expression grave, to inform McNally that Cordona awaited him. The summons proved all too timely, as a stagecoach rattled into town, disgorging the enigmatic Shasta Delaney (Jennifer O’ Neill). Her tale of woe and murder in Rio Lobo piqued Pat’s interest, but he was quick to dismiss her claims, citing jurisdictional boundaries. Undeterred, McNally and Pat made their way to the hotel to meet Cordona, only to discover that his absence had been deliberate, leaving behind a cryptic message asking them not to disturb him.

As they sipped drinks at the bar, Shasta’s arrival seemed like an innocent coincidence. However, four deputies from Rio Lobo soon appeared, intent on apprehending her and hauling her back to their town. Their leader, Whitey Carter, was a man with a grudge against Shasta, claiming self-defense as justification for his deadly actions. Pat refused to intervene without a warrant, sparking tensions that eventually boiled over into chaos.

In the ensuing melee, bullets flew, and the air was thick with tension. Just when it seemed like McNally’s life hung in the balance, Cordona emerged from his room above, rifle at the ready, and dispatched the last of their assailants. The sudden stillness was a stark contrast to the violence that had preceded it.

As order was restored, Shasta began to feel the weight of her actions, and McNally guided her to Cordona’s room, where she collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. The stagecoach driver’s corroborative testimony further solidified Shasta’s innocence, and Cordona revealed a web of deceit surrounding Whitey, who had been in the employ of a wealthy Yankee. This information was but a small piece of a larger puzzle, one that Tuscarora hoped McNally would help unravel.

In return for their assistance, Cordona proposed that McNally aid his old friend Phillips, whose land in Rio Lobo was under threat from those seeking to claim it as their own. Shasta, now refreshed and revitalized, offered her services as a guide, knowing the lay of the land in Rio Lobo and the key players involved in the unfolding drama.

As the veil of darkness descends upon the sleepy town, Cordona, McNally, and Shasta make their covert entrance, seeking refuge in the humble abode of Maria (Susana Dosamantes), Tuscarora’s lovely companion. Under the watchful eyes of Sheriff Tom Hendricks (Mike Henry) and his men, they must tread carefully to avoid detection. Cordona, ever the pragmatist, proposes hiding their horses out of sight, but Shasta’s keen mind sparks a plan to infiltrate the town under the guise of a dental emergency. Meanwhile, Amelita, a kindly topless resident, unwittingly provides them with temporary shelter, allowing Cordona to breathe a sigh of relief.

The next morning, Tuscarora arrives in town, his entourage of horses a testament to his ranching prowess. As he visits Maria at the hotel, McNally observes from a safe distance, witnessing the brutal beating of Tuscarora by Hendricks’ deputies, who accuse him of horse theft. The usually stoic Maria is left reeling, her cries for mercy falling on deaf ears. Hendricks, unyielding in his cruelty, orders Tuscarora’s imprisonment.

As McNally approaches the distraught Maria, he assumes a guise of innocence, feigning a visit to Doc Jones (David Huddleston) to address a nagging toothache. The astute doctor, well aware of the sheriff’s machinations, cleverly extracts information from McNally while pretending to remove his tooth. Ketcham, a ruthless powerbroker who has taken control of the town since the war ended, is revealed as Hendricks’ true patron. The cunning Sheriff had orchestrated the old sheriff’s demise and seized the reins with Ketcham’s blessing.

Doc Jones discloses the sinister plan to McNally: they intend to use Tuscarora as leverage against Phillips, forcing him to sell his land at a paltry sum, thereby trapping him within the town’s borders. The stakes are high, and the fate of Tuscarora hangs precariously in the balance.

As McNally fills Cordona and Shasta in on the dire situation, they set out to aid Phillips, who’s been effectively under house arrest by three deputies. The trio takes down the deputies with ease, but their attempt to approach Phillips is foiled by his precarious position - surrounded and wary of being shot. Shasta seizes the opportunity to enter the home and coax Phillips into receiving McNally and Cordona, emphasizing their connection to Tuscarora. With this fragile alliance established, they devise a plan to exploit Phillips’ intimate knowledge of Ketcham’s ranch, hoping to capture the traitorous Sergeant Major and use him as leverage to secure Tuscarora’s release.

Shasta remains behind with a trusted acquaintance of Phillips’, while McNally and Cordona embark on a nighttime raid to infiltrate Ketcham’s stronghold. They silence his sentries with stealthy precision, allowing them to slip inside unnoticed. As they peer through the window, Cordona’s recognition of Ketcham as the wartime turncoat who compromised their efforts sends shockwaves. The revelation prompts McNally to burst into the room, unleashing a brutal beating on Ketcham until the Sergeant Major agrees to relinquish his ill-gotten gains.

With Ketcham now in tow, McNally and Cordona make their escape, using the hostage as insurance against pursuit. However, McNally’s strategic thinking prevails when he realizes that trading Ketcham for Tuscarora would only invite Hendricks’ men to pursue them relentlessly. Instead, they concoct a plan to order Hendricks to abandon his post and allow Cordona to fetch the cavalry. Just as this new strategy takes shape, a deputy arrives at the jail, bearing news of the events unfolding at Phillips’ ranch. Hendricks responds by deploying his men to block the main road, effectively cutting off any potential escape routes or reinforcements.

As McNally (actor’s name) arrives at Maria’s humble abode, he’s met with a mixture of emotions - Maria’s warmth and concern for her people, juxtaposed with the stark reality of violence and desperation. The once-peaceful landscape has been ravaged by the cruel deeds of Hendricks, who left an indelible mark on Amelita’s face in his pursuit of information. Her scar, a constant reminder of the brutality she’s endured, serves as a testament to the unyielding resolve of those fighting for justice.

With Ketcham (actor’s name) safely in custody, McNally and Phillips devise a plan to outmaneuver Hendricks and his cohorts. They confront the leader, issuing an ultimatum: disarm and vacate the office, or face the consequences. As they secure Tuscarora from her cell, it becomes clear that their strategy relies on the timely arrival of backup - but fate has other plans. Cordona (actor’s name) is ambushed en route to deliver aid, leaving McNally and his comrades in a precarious situation.

As Doc Jones brings sustenance to the beleaguered group, a deputy arrives with a message that shakes their resolve: Cordona has been taken hostage, and Hendricks will only release him if they surrender Ketcham. With no other viable option, McNally makes the difficult decision to agree to the trade. As he hands over the deeds signed by Ketcham (actor’s name), he imparts a solemn promise to Doc Jones: the people’s land will be reclaimed, no matter the cost. The fate of their struggle hangs precariously in the balance, as they navigate this treacherous landscape.

As the sun rises over the dusty town, McNally, Phillips, and Tuscarora escort Ketcham to a designated meeting point, where they converge with Doc Jones and a coterie of locals eager to lend their support. The air is heavy with tension as the townsfolk, well aware that Hendricks’ triumph would seal their fate, arm themselves in anticipation of the impending battle. Meanwhile, Tuscarora slips into the murky waters between the cantina and barn, poised to spring into action should the situation escalate.

As they approach the exchange point, McNally bellows for Hendricks to release Ketcham in return for his own freedom. The two prisoners begin their cautious approach, with Cordona suddenly leaping from the water’s edge at Tuscarora’s silent signal. McNally, however, remains steadfast, ordering Ketcham to halt or face the consequences of a bullet.

Hendricks’ wrath boils over as he demands the return of his captive, but McNally stands firm, emphasizing that Ketcham is no longer a valuable pawn in their game. The deeds have been signed over to the people, and both men are now broke – a reality that only fuels Hendricks’ fury. With a snarl, he orders Ketcham’s execution, and McNally seizes the moment, taking down Hendricks with a well-placed shot before falling prey to the return fire from one of the deputies.

The ensuing shootout is a chaotic blur of gunfire and screams as Hendricks’ men struggle to hold their ground. A desperate attempt to blow up the cantina using dynamite ends in failure, prompting the remaining outlaws to make a break for it. Hendricks, enraged by his men’s desertion, attempts to cut them down with wild shots from his rifle-turned-cane, only to see it jam and explode in his face.

As he hobbles towards his horse, Amelia appears behind him, her rifle at the ready. He spins around to return fire, but she proves too quick, delivering two swift shots that send him crashing to the ground. With Hendricks neutralized, Tuscarora is reunited with Marie, while Cordona is joined once more by Shasta.

As the dust settles, McNally offers what comfort he can to the grieving Amelita before limping off into the sunset alongside her, Rio Lobo finally free from the shackles of corruption.