The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

As the cinematic curtain rises, a wondrous tome unfurls, comprising six enchanting tales woven into the fabric of The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Our protagonist, the charismatic outlaw Buster Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson), rides forth across the iconic Monument Valley, serenading the desert landscape with a soulful rendition of "Cool Water". As he harmonizes with the wind, Buster breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience with a wry smile, revealing his self-proclaimed moniker, the "San Saba Songbird", and disputing the notion that he is indeed a misanthrope. With his trusty steed Dan by his side, Buster decides to mosey into town, where he intends to test his luck at cards.

Upon entering the dusty, dimly lit cantina, Buster requests a whiskey, only to be rebuffed by the bartender, who remains skeptical about Buster's outlaw reputation. Undeterred, our anti-hero is soon confronted by a group of roughnecks, who mockingly question his credentials as an outlaw. However, Buster proves his mettle by dispatching the four would-be challengers and the bartender with ease, utilizing his lightning-quick draw to eliminate the threats. As the dust settles, it becomes clear that in this wild west, one must always be prepared for a showdown at high noon – and Buster Scruggs is ready.

As Buster ventures into the rough-and-tumble saloon, the atmosphere is electric with the hum of patrons engaged in a high-stakes card game. Unfazed by the tension, he declines to take on the hand of a departed player, citing the mediocre cards and lack of ante. However, his decision sparks the ire of Surly Joe (Clancy Brown), an outlaw whose temper matches the volatility of the saloon's whiskey. With his gun drawn, Joe menaces Buster, who remains steadfast in the face of danger. In a stunning display of wit and cunning, Buster stomps on the table, sending shockwaves through the air – and Joe's brain – as the latter inadvertently shoots himself three times. As Joe lies lifeless, Buster can't resist belting out a boisterous tune celebrating his opponent's demise.

But Joe's brother (Danny McCarthy), fueled by vengeance, challenges Buster to a duel outside, seeking retribution for his sibling's untimely demise. With his characteristic bravado, Buster accepts the challenge and proceeds to disarm and dismember his adversary with a series of precision shots, each aimed at a different digit on the man's hand. The pièce de résistance comes when Buster takes aim at Joe's brother's head, using a mirror as an impromptu aiming device.

Just as Buster prepares to croon another triumphant ditty, he is approached by The Kid (Willie Watson), a young outlaw with a penchant for polite dueling invitations. Confident in his abilities, Buster accepts the challenge – only to find himself caught off guard by The Kid's lightning-quick draw, which leaves him reeling from a single bullet to the forehead. As life slips away, Buster's spirit begins its ascent to the great beyond, accompanied by a poignant lament about the impermanence of earthly success.

Meanwhile, in the dusty town of Near Algodones, a lone cowboy (James Franco) rides into the local bank with robbery on his mind. However, The Teller (Stephen Root), ever vigilant and prepared for any eventuality, seizes his rifle and unleashes a barrage of bullets before making a hasty exit via the back door. Undeterred, the Cowboy claims some loot and makes a break for it, only to be cut down by a hail of gunfire as he flees. As he seeks refuge behind a well, The Teller – now armed with an array of pans to protect himself from any stray bullets – closes in, finally delivering a resounding blow to the Cowboy's cranium with the butt of his gun.

As the Cowboy finds himself suspended by a rope, bound to a tree with his horse beneath him, he's met with a posse and its leader (Ralph Ineson), whose stern demeanor signals a dire fate. The rest of the group argues over the spoils, but their squabble is abruptly interrupted by a tribe of Comanche warriors, who rain arrows down upon the gunslingers. The Cowboy watches in awe as the chaotic battle unfolds, with the posse members ultimately meeting their demise at the hands of the Comanche chief. The warrior's subsequent attempt to spook the Cowboy's horse into fleeing is nothing more than a jest, allowing the steed to slowly inch away from its rider. Hours pass, and the rope tightens around the Cowboy as his horse continues to move further away, until he spots a Drover (Jesse Luken) and summons him to come to his aid. The Drover obliges, releasing the Cowboy from his precarious predicament, and they ride off together. However, this newfound freedom is short-lived, as they're soon caught by another posse and brought before the law, leading to a swift and merciless sentencing: hanging. As the noose tightens around his neck, the Cowboy catches sight of a beautiful young woman in the crowd, her loveliness a fleeting distraction from the impending doom that awaits him.

In stark contrast to this tale of violence and desperation, an Impresario (Liam Neeson) embarks on a journey with his unique performer, Harrison (Harry Melling), who possesses no limbs or arms. Despite their limitations, they travel the country, presenting recitations of classic works such as Shakespeare's sonnets, "Ozymandias," and even the Gettysburg Address. As their audiences dwindle and interest wanes, the Impresario must assume additional responsibilities, caring for Harrison's every need - from feeding to dressing him, and carrying him around with ease. The duo's struggles are further compounded by a lackluster show that fails to generate any revenue, leading the Impresario to seek inspiration elsewhere. A visit to a local brothel yields an unexpected surprise: a man showcasing a chicken with uncanny mathematical abilities. The Impresario is so impressed that he decides to purchase the remarkable fowl on the spot, potentially marking the beginning of a new era for his struggling act.

As the Impresario (character unknown) ambles alongside the chicken, accompanied by Harrison, they pause at a bridge spanning a serene river. The Impresario nonchalantly dispatches a substantial rock into the water below, observing with an air of satisfaction as it sinks to an unknown depth. A hint of foreboding lingers in the air, as if Harrison is privy to the impending doom that awaits him. The scene then shifts, leaving only the Impresario and the chicken behind, alluding to the ghastly fate that has befallen Harrison.

In a separate tale, the Prospector (Tom Waits) sets forth on horseback, driven by an insatiable hunger for gold. His search takes him to a valley, where he meticulously excavates holes and sifts through riverbed soil in search of precious specks. Despite his initial success dwindling with each new discovery, the Prospector's unwavering conviction that a hidden pocket of gold lies within his grasp propels him forward.

As night descends, the Prospector sets up camp, his resolve unbroken. The next morning, he espies an owl's nest and, moved by a mix of curiosity and hunger, attempts to pilfer its eggs for breakfast. However, the piercing gaze of the mother owl prompts him to reconsider, opting instead to claim only one egg. The Prospector continues his quest, eventually stumbling upon a richer vein of gold within a hidden hollow.

Just as he is about to claim this bounty, the shadows cast by an unseen presence reveal a young man (Sam Dillon), who has been stalking the Prospector with ill intent. With calculated malice, the young man shoots the Prospector in the back, seeking to claim the found treasure for himself. The Prospector feigns death, allowing his would-be killer to descend into the hole. Seizing the opportunity, he springs into action, disarming and dispatching the young interloper with a swift shot from his own gun.

With the interloper's lifeless body left behind, the Prospector emerges from the hole, clutching his hard-earned gold and departing the valley, leaving the darkness of the preceding events to recede into memory.

As the warmth of dinner conversation dissolves into the night air, Alice Longabaugh (Zoe Kazan) makes a declaration that sends ripples through the small gathering in her household - she intends to tie the knot with Gilbert's (Jefferson Mays) associate. The two set off on a wagon train journey to Oregon, accompanied by Alice's loyal canine companion, President Pierce, whose incessant barking proves an irritant to the other travelers. As they traverse the open terrain, Gilbert falls gravely ill with cholera and eventually succumbs to the disease overnight, leaving the group to mourn his passing. In the days that follow, the wagon train leaders, Billy Knapp (Bill Heck) and Mr. Arthur (Grainger Hines), pay their respects to the deceased before Alice decides to press on with the journey.

As night falls around a crackling campfire, Alice confides in Billy and Mr. Arthur about her hired hand Matt's demand for half of the $400 promised by Gilbert, insisting that he be paid now or never reach Fort Laramie. Alice shares her brother's questionable business acumen, revealing that she has no monetary resources to draw upon, as Gilbert had apparently buried their funds with him. Billy offers words of comfort and proposes finding a way to deter President Pierce from disrupting the group, also sharing his failed attempt to reason with Matt. With a twinkle in his eye, he whisks Alice's dog away, only to return with tales of the canine's hasty departure.

As Alice's concerns regarding her financial woes grow, she approaches Billy one evening, seeking guidance on how to resolve her issue with Matt. Billy seizes the opportunity to propose marriage to Alice when they reach Fort Laramie, offering her a chance to settle her debts and start anew, with him as her partner. He promises to help establish a family on land he can purchase through the Homestead Act. After a period of contemplation, Alice accepts his proposal, having grown fond of Billy just as he has of her. As they prepare for their final leg of the journey together, Billy confides in Mr. Arthur that this will mark the end of their travels as a trio.

The drama unfolds as Mr. Arthur awakens to a day devoid of Alice's presence, only to discover a cryptic trail that leads him to a poignant encounter with President Pierce and his canine companion, barking away at a group of prairie dogs. As he approaches, an Indian tribe materializes on the horizon, prompting Mr. Arthur to dispatch Alice with a pistol, instructing her to take her own life if he meets his demise in battle. With a heavy heart, he charges forward, vanquishing most of the warriors, but not before Alice mistakenly believes him to be felled by their arrows. When Mr. Arthur miraculously revives, he eliminates the last Indian and hastens to Alice's side, only to find her lifeless form, a victim of her own hand. Overcome with sorrow, Mr. Arthur returns to camp, struggling to articulate his grief to Billy.

The stagecoach chugs along the dusty trail, its passengers - Thigpen, Rene, Clarence, Mrs. Betjeman, and the Trapper - locked in a lively discussion. As they converse, their attention is drawn to the gruesome sight of a corpse sprawled across the roof of the coach. The Trapper regales his companions with tales of his experiences with a Native woman, which had instilled within him a profound appreciation for humanity's shared desires and needs. Mrs. Betjeman, a devout Christian, counters this notion, insisting that people are divided into two categories: those who walk uprightly and those consumed by sin. Her thoughts are interrupted by Rene, who shares the story of a friend forced to sit in for him during a high-stakes poker game. This anecdote serves as a reminder that human beings are inherently unique, leaving us forever uncertain about one another's true nature. With a hint of cynicism, Rene also suggests that perhaps Mr. Betjeman had been unfaithful, prompting Mrs. Betjeman to question the sincerity of her husband's affections. As their conversation reaches its peak, Mrs. Betjeman's body betrays her, and she succumbs to the onset of a stroke. In desperation, she cries out for the coachman to slow down, but Thigpen reveals that this is not an option, as it is against the driver's strict policy to adjust their pace.

As Clarence's rich, soulful voice fills the air, he reveals himself to be a bounty hunter, alongside his partner Thigpen. Their modus operandi involves Thigpen weaving engaging yarns while Clarence silences their targets. The three travelers on the coach can't help but feel a sense of foreboding as they anticipate the grim fate that may await them.

Meanwhile, the weary coachman has arrived at his destination - a humble hotel - and allows Clarence and Thigpen to deposit the lifeless body inside. As the other passengers make their way into the hotel, the coachman slips away into the darkness, leaving Rene to enter the establishment, shutting the door behind him with an air of resignation. He's prepared to face whatever trials lie ahead.

The film is a masterful anthology of old west tales, each one spinning a unique yarn about the fortunes and misfortunes that befall those who inhabit this gritty landscape.

1. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - Meet Buster Scruggs, a deadly outlaw with a quick draw and a wicked smile. After gunning down another outlaw and his brother, he's challenged by a young upstart who sends him to meet his maker. As Buster's spirit ascends to the great beyond, he breaks into a haunting duet with his killer.

2. Near Algodones - A desperate cowboy attempts to relieve a bank of its riches, but finds himself facing a hangman's noose instead. The lawmen tasked with carrying out the sentence are subsequently cut down by Comanches, leaving a cattle rustler to stumble upon the cowboy and set him free. However, their newfound freedom is short-lived, as they're both soon caught and forced to meet their maker once more.

3. Meal Ticket - Follow the fortunes of an impresario and his limbless protégé as they travel from town to town, entertaining audiences with recitations of timeless classics. As the impresario's patience wears thin due to the meager returns, he discovers a chicken that's seemingly gifted at mathematics. This newfound treasure prompts him to abandon his artist in favor of this feathered friend - and the profits that come with it.

4. All Gold Canyon - A prospector embarks on a journey through treacherous terrain in search of the elusive gold. When he finally strikes paydirt, a young man attempts to relieve him of his discovery by any means necessary. But our intrepid prospector refuses to go quietly into the night, fighting off his attacker and emerging victorious before making off with his hard-earned spoils.

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5. The Gal Who Got Rattled - As Alice navigates the treacherous terrain of the Oregon trail alongside her brother, an unexpected turn of events leaves her reeling. Following his untimely passing due to cholera, the young woman finds herself beset by debt and uncertainty. With her hired hand pressing for payment, Billy Knapp extends a proposal - marriage in exchange for settling the outstanding balance. Meanwhile, Mr. Arthur, another leader of the wagon train, takes pity on Alice's plight, offering words of comfort and guidance as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality. As the days pass, Alice becomes increasingly despondent, until Mr. Arthur takes drastic measures to ensure her safety, gifting her a firearm with instructions to take control of her own destiny. Yet, in a stunning twist, it appears that Mr. Arthur meets his demise at the hands of the very Indians he had warned Alice about, leading her to succumb to despair and ultimately take her own life - or so it would seem.

6. The Mortal Remains - A stagecoach, creaking under the weight of its five passengers (an Englishman, a Frenchman, an Irishman, a lady, and a rugged trapper), rattles along the dusty trail, carrying more than just luggage. As the weary travelers exchange stories and philosophies, a subtle tension simmers beneath the surface. The seemingly disparate individuals - a cultured English gentleman, a charming French aristocrat, a cunning Irish bounty hunter, a refined lady, and a rough-hewn trapper - each harbor secrets of their own. It's only as they near their destination at Fort Morgan that the true nature of their companionship is revealed: two of the passengers are actually ruthless bounty hunters, preying on the unsuspecting souls around them. With this unsettling discovery, the remaining three travelers are left to wonder if they'll survive the journey with their lives intact - and their very humanity unscathed.