Mace Bishop (James Stewart) masquerades as a hangman in order to save his outlaw brother, Dee (Dean Martin), from the gallows, runs to Mexico chased by Sheriff July Johnson's (George Kennedy's) posse and fights against Mexican bandits.
Posing as a hangman, Mace Bishop (James Stewart) arrives in town with the intention of freeing a gang of outlaws, including his brother, Dee (Dean Martin), from the gallows. Mace urges his younger brother to give up crime. Sheriff July Johnson (George Kennedy) chases the brothers to Mexico. They join forces, however, against a group of Mexican bandits.