A cowboy (Clint Eastwood) from an unknown place arrives in the mining town of Lago, immediately making enemies. When he fraternizes with the local women and intimidates the local men, three outlaws decide to take matters into their own hands and have him shot. Despite their best efforts, they are unsuccessful at taking down the stranger. Meanwhile, the new man in town has some ideas of his own that involve killing three former prisoners who he believes are headed straight to Lago. Years ago, these three men had whipped the local sheriff to death and are seeking revenge for being locked up. It is up to the stranger now to save the townspeople, despite their clear hatred for him. But just exactly who is he? And who is the man who was killed? No one knows the awful truth, but they are about to find out.