A group of cavalry soldiers tries to transport a powerful machine gun to their fort while being pursued by a tribe of Apache Indians who want to seize the weapon for themselves.
1971 American Western Film
The film begins with two cavalry deserters, Sneed and Elwood, who kill some of their comrades and steal a Gatling gun, a rapid-fire weapon that can wipe out hundreds of enemies. They plan to sell the gun to Chief Two Knife, the leader of the Apache tribe, in exchange for gold. However, they need a cover to cross the hostile territory, so they enlist the help of Reverend Harper, a pacifist preacher who believes that they are going to destroy the gun. Along the way, they encounter Jim Boland, a rancher who has a grudge against Sneed for killing his brother, and his wife Martha. They also meet Tin Pot, a quirky inventor who has a fascination with the Gatling gun. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Wayne Malcolm and his patrol are sent to recover the stolen gun and capture the deserters. They manage to kill Elwood and wound Sneed, but the gun is damaged in the process. Malcolm decides to take Sneed and Harper as prisoners and continue to escort the gun to the fort. However, Two Knife and his warriors are still after the gun, and they launch several attacks on the patrol. Malcolm and his men have to fight for their lives against the relentless Apache onslaught, while also dealing with the internal conflicts among themselves. The film ends with a climactic showdown between Malcolm and Two Knife over the fate of the Gatling gun.
