Gunslinger Sabata (Yul Brynner) allies himself with a group of wily Mexican revolutionaries scheming to overthrow Emperor Maximilian and expel the occupying Austrians from their homeland. Part of their plan involves stealing a shipment of gold and using it to purchase artillery. It won't be easy, however, as the gold is under the protection of the corrupt and sadistic Col. Skimmel (Gerard Herter). As Sabata pulls off the daring heist, he must take on dozens of enraged Austrian forces.