The Virginian (1946 film)

Plot

In 1885, Molly Wood leaves the dull security of Vermont to be a schoolteacher in frontier Wyoming. On arrival, she is frightened by a spooked steer, and is rescued by the Virginian, only to discover the mild animal is a little girl's pet. She takes a strong dislike to the cowboy. He, on the other hand, is smitten with her. When Trampas voices scurrilous speculation as to why she came west, the Virginian forces him at gunpoint to take it back.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor put Molly up in their old home. The Virginian starts courting her, initially against her will. Steve Andrews, a friend the Virginian has not seen in three years, is also interested in her. She eventually warms to the Virginian, but her feelings for him are not as strong or certain as his for her.

Families are being driven away by the depredations of cattle rustlers. The Virginian suspects Trampas is the ringleader, but has no proof. When he sees Steve becoming friendly to Trampas, he warns his easygoing friend to keep better company. When he catches Steve with one of Judge Henry's calves, applying Trampas's brand on the pretext of branding a "stray," the Virginian warns Steve to choose wisely what course he wants his life to take because he will not cover up any rustling activities.

Before setting out on a long cattle drive, the Virginian tells Molly she must decide by the time he returns whether they have a future together. On the trail, Trampas and his men start a stampede, using the distraction to steal a couple of hundred animals. The Virginian fears that Steve has been killed, but he in fact is working with Trampas.

Judge Henry, whose cattle were taken, persuades the Virginian to lead a posse. When they find the rustlers, one is killed when he tries to draw his gun, and two others surrender. The Virginian catches Steve as he is sneaking away; Steve says no one would know if his friend were to let him go, but the Virginian takes him back to join the others. Trampas gets away. The three rustlers are lynched.

The Virginian goes after Trampas and is shot in the back. Molly tends to him during months of recovery. When she learns that he had to hang his own friend, she decides to return east. Stagecoach driver Andy makes her see that she is in love with the Virginian. She finally agrees to marry the cowboy.

Just before their wedding, Trampas shows up to tell the Virginia to leave town by sundown or be shot on sight. Molly pleads with the Virginian to leave, but he has no choice. He arms himself with the revolver Steve had left him, and the two men stalk each other. Trampas spots the Virginian first, and is about to ambush him when he startles a horse. Thus warned, the Virginian kills Trampas. The Virginian and Molly ride off into the sunset.

Cast

References