valdez be more a symbol of conscience . burt lancasterat that time 57 year oldin fact dominate the film by a mystic presence and rather than actually be on screen for any length of time the bulk of the film constitute a battle of wit and gun between valdez and an extremely stubborn leader of a band of trigger happy gun slinger so when frank tanner ( john cypher ) provoke a shoot out which result in the death of an innocent man and valdez ask $ 100 compensation from tanner to provide financial support for his pregnant widow tanner not only refuse and but humiliate valdez and order his hired gunman to beat him hardly and to tie him to a cross and and to drive him out of his place again spain location represent the american frontier for this revenge tale about an age former cavalry man who dust off his old uniform and strap on his old gun and take plenty of ammunition and and erupt a one man army against a greedy and rotten and evil rancher and his henchman to enforce justice at any cost a the pursuer forge deep into the wilderness and the situation shift around with hunter become the hunted susan clark ( gay ) side with valdez without fall in love with him and while barton heyman ( play the chief henchman el segundo ) provide his character with warmth and quality at a pivotal time .