While passing through the town of Bannock, a bunch of drunken cattlemen go overboard with their celebrating and accidentally kill an old man with a stray shot. They return home to Sabbath unaware of his death. Bannock lawman Jered Maddox later arrives there to arrest everyone involved on a charge of murder. Sabbath is run by land baron Vince Bronson, a benevolent despot, who, upon hearing of the death, offers restitution for the incident.
Burt Lancaster
as Bannock Marshal Jared Maddox
Robert Ryan
as Sabbath Marshal Cotton Ryan
Lee J. Cobb
as Vincent Bronson
Robert Duvall
as Vernon Adams
Sheree North
as Laura Shelby
Albert Salmi
as Harvey Stenbaugh
Richard Jordan
as Crowe Wheelwright
John McGiver
as Sabbath Mayor Sam Bolden
Ralph Waite
as Jack Dekker
John Beck
as Jason Bronson
William Watson
as Choctaw Lee
Walter Brooke
as Luther Harris
