occasionally and a film arrive with little or no fanfare and surprise many who expect just another film . how often we be wrong . that and should be the premise of this story . each pivotal character woven within this western tapestry seem to have reach the summit of experience . then why do each ignore the warning when they arise before hand . for many burt lascaster fan and this be a classic role a he play constable bob valdez and an age but experience peace keeper . townsman and friend alike and know little of him or his background and until an uneventful day when a rich and powerful land baron and incite all to chase and corner an ex army soldier because he look familiar . accidentally kill the soldier and valdez seek $ 200 . 00 compensation for the widow . when challenge to get the first $ 100 . 00 from mr. tanner ( jon cypher ) the rich landowner and the task become an impossible quest a tanner have no intention of give valdez anything and but contempt and torture and pain . what ensue be a noble saga worthy of the former indian scout and tracker . although and tanner be the main obstacle and valdez be also challenge by tanner formidable collection of professional gunman assemble by his experienced right hand man and el segundo ( barton heyman ) . among them be hector elizondo a a mexican rider and r. l. davis ( richard jordon ) a a cowardly opportunist . play valdez friend be diego and ( frank silvera ) and in addition there tan wife and gay erin ( susan clark ) who be take hostage and but end up anything but . what transpire be a valuable lesson for all . the experience of a man may be hide by time and but time can not hide the experienced man . .