The Claim

In the midst of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, where the Gold Rush era's echoes still lingered in 1867, Daniel Dillon (Peter Mullan) had established himself as an enigmatic figure. A vault overflowing with gold and a stranglehold on Kingdom Come's commerce made him the go-to man for locals and out-of-towners alike. Whether it was panning for gold, seeking lodging, opening a bank account, or navigating the complexities of crime, everyone in town ultimately answered to Dillon.

Meanwhile, Donald Dalglish (Wes Bentley), a surveyor with the Central Pacific Railroad, had arrived in Kingdom Come to chart a course for the railway's next expansion. His mission was twofold: to decide on a suitable route and negotiate the best possible terms for the railroad company. Dillon, keenly aware of the potential windfall that came with having the railway pass through his town, spared no effort in convincing Dalglish to choose Kingdom Come as the site for the new line.

At the heart of this complex web of interests was Lucia (Milla Jovovich), a mysterious woman whose influence extended far and wide. Her talents lay not only in her haunting Portuguese melodies but also in her ability to procure companionship for visitors, as well as smoothing over disputes between Dillon and others. When Dalglish arrived, Lucia took it upon herself to facilitate an introduction, though he initially rebuffed her advances. It wasn't until he realized the nature of his connection to Dillon - through Lucia - that he began to see things in a different light.

The arrival of travelers Elena Burn (Nastassja Kinski) and her teenage daughter Hope (Sarah Polley) marked the beginning of a new chapter in Kingdom Come's tumultuous history. Suffering from an unknown affliction, Elena had brought Hope with her on a quest to confront Daniel Dillon, whose reputation for dispensing justice in his own unique way had preceded him. When Hope caught a glimpse of Dillon meting out punishment, she was struck by the familiarity of the scene and handed over a rosary, entrusted to her by her mother. Although Dillon recognized Hope immediately, she managed to slip away from him, eventually finding solace with Dalglish. Her persistence paid off when he agreed to take her on a survey run the following day, little knowing that their journey would soon become inextricably linked with the fate of Kingdom Come itself.

The presence of these women in Kingdom Come's midst is a source of deep discomfort for Dillon, as they hold the key to a dark and long-buried secret that has haunted him for nearly two decades. A flashback reveals the events that transpired when Dillon first arrived in these mountains with his Polish wife Elena and their infant daughter Hope. The frigid night led them to seek shelter at Kingdom Come, a humble shack owned by Burn (Tom McCamus), a disillusioned '49er who would later play a pivotal role in shaping Dillon's fortunes.

As the years passed, Dillon's lucrative gold claim flourished, but his conscience remained heavy with the weight of a long-forgotten decision. It was a choice that had cost him dearly, exchanging Elena and Hope for a small plot of land that would ultimately make him wealthy. A poignant detail from this period is the rosary he gave to Elena, a simple act meant to soothe their crying daughter Hope.

Lucia's intervention in Hope's life sets off a chain reaction of events that will soon unravel the tangled threads of Dillon's past. At his behest, Lucia takes Hope under her wing and grooms her to capture Dalglesh's attention. As part of this scheme, Lucia dresses Hope up to perfection and presents her at the evening's festivities. The young girl is then encouraged to demonstrate her musical talents by playing the piano while singing, followed by a recitation of a poem. Dalglesh is called upon to sing a song in response.

As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Dillon inquires about Burn's character, only to be met with confusion from Hope. This is because Elena had instilled in their daughter a sense of family connection between Burn and herself, despite the fact that he was merely a prospector who had purchased them from her husband.

As Bellanger (Julian Richings), one of Dalglish's loyal men, shares his personal struggles with his commander, he reveals that his heart now belongs to a prostitute and her young son, prompting him to abandon his duties once their survey is complete. However, fate has other plans, as the treacherous terrain they're traversing proves to be the downfall of the wagon carrying unstable nitroglycerin, resulting in the loss of life and chaos. Meanwhile, Bellanger's words of caution about the challenges of building a railroad through Kingdom Come fall on deaf ears with Dalglish.

In a surprising turn of events, Hope and Elena are awoken by an operatic serenade courtesy of Dillon, who has dispatched musicians to the hotel as a clever ploy to rouse them. His ulterior motive is to persuade Sweetley to host a gathering at his newly relocated home in town, which happens to be a monumental undertaking.

Dillon extends an unexpected proposal to Elena, asserting that they're already married, despite no one in town being aware of their union. He confesses that he's always remained committed to her alone, only requesting that Hope remain oblivious to the past. Elena agrees to these terms, and the couple renews their vows, accompanied by a lively reception. Dalglish, however, keeps his cards close to his chest, opting not to commit to the railroad project just yet.

As the evening unfolds, Dillon's words of wisdom about the town benefiting from the railroad are met with skepticism by Dalglish, who remains noncommittal. In a curious remark, Dillon declares that everything will ultimately belong to Hope, but she politely declines his offer. As the night draws to a close, the townspeople gather to witness a breathtaking fireworks display, marking the culmination of this pivotal day in their lives.

As Hope and Dalglish (name intentionally omitted) engage in a warm conversation inside, their camaraderie is palpable, despite the somber tone of their discussion. They ponder the impending arrival of the railroad, with Hope musing that it would bring prosperity to the town, perhaps even renaming it Dillontown, while Dalglish suggests "Hope" as a more fitting moniker. Their conversation is interrupted by Bellanger and Annie's announcement of their engagement, prompting an invitation to celebrate at the local saloon. While Dalglesh accepts the offer, Hope declines, citing her maternal responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Dillon (name intentionally omitted) struggles to find a cure for his beloved Elena, with his efforts met with little success. Hope has been experimenting with herbs to alleviate her mother's condition, but even those haven't yielded positive results. As Elena and Dillon spend precious time together, it's clear that her health is not improving.

As the railroad company makes its plans, Dalglish convinces them to re route the railway further away from town, citing ease of construction and passage as the primary motivations. This decision sparks a tense confrontation between Dillon and Dalglesh, ultimately resulting in the tragic demise of Sweetley. The confrontation culminates with Dillon ordering the railroad workers to vacate the area by the next morning.

Hope witnesses this heated exchange and subsequently follows Dillon home. That night, Lucia's revelry takes center stage as she leads a group of women to the railroad camp, where they join the men in merriment. Dalglish finds himself swept up in Lucia's world, spending the evening at her side. The next morning, Dillon and his associates round up the men, ordering them to depart. When asked about Dalglesh's whereabouts, he's told that the individual is currently residing with Lucia.

Dillon subsequently pays a visit to Lucia's abode, only to eject Dalglish from town. As Lucia confronts him with the revelation that Hope is his daughter, Dalglesh is left reeling. In an effort to protect her people, Lucia proposes relocating the entire population of Kingdom Come to a new settlement she has named Lisboa, inspired by her father's Portuguese heritage. This new town will be situated near the railroad, allowing its inhabitants to thrive amidst the bustling activity. Though Dalglesh is initially hesitant, he eventually commits to completing the railroad, leaving Lucia and her people to forge their own path.

As the weight of his desires settles upon him, Dillon (actor name) reveals to Elena that he longs for Hope to be his own flesh and blood. Elena's wisdom guides her response, cautioning him that a truth so profound must be shared with Hope herself. The passage of time is marked by Elena's decline, her condition rapidly deteriorating until the inevitable occurs and she succumbs to fate.

In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Kingdom Come lies barren, its residents gone. Dillon is compelled to seek out a priest in Lisboa, his quest driven by the necessity of burying his beloved Elena. Following the funeral rites, Hope confronts her father, announcing her intention to depart and forge a new life with Dalglish. A poignant reminder of their shared past, Dillon presents her with a treasured photograph of their family from happier times, when she was just a babe. He shares the story of the pact forged between himself and Burn on that very spot, a tale imbued with the weight of promise and responsibility.

Hope's departure is swift, her destination Lisboa, where she arrives in time to witness the official christening of the town by the railroad. Her path soon intersects with Dalglish as they attend the wedding ceremony uniting Bellanger and Annie. Meanwhile, Dillon is left grappling with the loss of Elena, Hope, and his once-thriving community.

In a gesture of defiance and despair, Dillon sets fire to the remnants of Kingdom Come, the flames drawing the attention of Lisboa's residents, who valiantly strive to quell the inferno. The following morning, Dalglish and Hope stumble upon Dillon's frozen form, his body entwined with the rosary beads that had once brought him solace.

Lucia is consumed by grief, her tears flowing freely as Dillon's lifeless form is borne back to the ruins of Kingdom Come. As many of the former townsfolk converge on the burned-out vault in search of Dillon's storied treasure trove of gold, Hope and Dalglish opt instead to accompany his body down the mountain, a somber procession marked by the tender care of Lucia and a few others.