 Josh Stryker (Morgan Woodward), a former U. S. Marshal, returns to Dodge City after fifteen years in prison for murder. His former deputy, Matt Dillon (James Arness) was the main witness who convicted him. Now Stryker is torn between his hatred for Matt, his reconciliation with his daughter Sarah Jean (Joan Van Ark), and the threat he faces from two outlaws, Jessup (Royal Dano) and Reager (Mills Watson).