Wild West outpost Hard Times comes under attack by the Man From Bodie (Aldo Ray), a villain who conducts a one-man rape, murder and arson campaign that leaves few survivors. One of the stranger's victims, saloon dancer Molly (Janice Rule), blames pacifistic mayor Will Blue (Henry Fonda) for not stopping the rampage. Fearful the man may come back, she teaches adolescent orphan Jimmy Fee (Michael Shea) how to shoot a gun. When the stranger does return, the survivors must band together to stop him.