Unable to outrun the sins of their past, seven cornered Union-loyal gunslingers take a last bloody stand against 150 Apache warriors in a legendary place called Doubtful Canyon.

SYNOPSIS:

The story opens in Apache territory in 1915, as a dying MICKEY FREE, 60s, reflects on his past. As his daughter, FANNIE, tends to him he is drawn back in his memories to 1859. Mickey, 12 y/o, witnesses his father’s slaughter by an Apache raiding party. Out of respect for his father’s fighting spirit, Mickey is adopted by the warrior TAZA and slowly becomes part of the tribe. He becomes friends with the son of COCHISE, the Apache tribal leader.

We move ahead five years, to where it all begins. FREEMAN THOMAS, MATTHEW CHAMPION, ROBERT S. AVALINE and JOHN WILSON investigate the remains of stage that was attacked by the Apache. They return to Messila and learn Confederate Soldiers have begun to move in. This is an issue for Freeman and his friends who are staunch supporters of the Union. As tensions rise in the settlement the group helps John Wilson continue to build his ranch outside of town and we learn that John Wilson’s wife is pregnant, and that Wilson recently had a run in with an Apache warband led by Cochise and his son. We also learn that Robert is in love with John’s wife and Freeman is morning the loss of his.

Back with the Apache’s, we learn that Cochise’s Son was killed in the fight with John Wilson and witness his burial ceremony with the tribe. Mickey is heartbroken at the loss of his friend and gifted with his first rifle by Taza, who then tells him he will be allowed to accompany the War Band. Mickey, eager for revenge, rides out with the War Band.

Meanwhile, Freeman refuses to take a valuable stage along a dangerous route to Frisco. Matthew tries to convince him to change his mind but isn’t successful until they are both approached by DAN WARNER, the man who agreed to take the stage. A thug and part-time outlaw, he tells Freeman and Matthew he plans to skim a bit of the value from the stage, leading Freeman to change his mind. After a violent confrontation in the saloon, Freeman officially agrees to take the stage and gathers John Wilson, Robert S. Avaline, JOHN PORTELL, EMMETT MILLS, and JOSEPH ROESCHER to help him. After another confrontation with the Confederate Soldiers they quickly leave Messila and set out for Frisco.

Back with the Apaches, Cochise’s War Band has reached the Piloncillo Mountains and Doubtful Canyon. They dig in and prepare to attack the stage line. Mickey follows Taza and Cochise and learns everything he can. Cochise’s men are joined by MAGNAS COLORADAS and his War Band. The Apache force now numbers well over a hundred and Cochise has become obsessed with avenging his son. Mickey witnesses his first Apache’s raid, as they attack a stage coming through the mountains. Mickey is horrified as they kill everyone on the stage.

As Freeman and his team move along the stage trail they are ambushed by Dan Warner and his band of outlaws. They manage to defeat the larger group through superior fighting skills and move on to the Cooke’s Spring Station where they are expecting fresh horses. At the station Freeman and his men learn that the STATION MANAGER has sold their horses and only has worn down mules. Worried about making their timeline, they decide to take the mules and push on. To make up time they decide to take the stage road through Doubtful Canyon.

Everything comes together as they enter Doubtful Canyon and the Apaches attack. Cochise catches a glimpse of John Wilson on the stage and loses all thought of anything but destroying the stage and killing Freeman and his men. Freeman and his men make a desperate last stand in a small outcropping and manage to hold off the Apache’s for two days. Magnas realizes the Apache are fighting a pointless battle and tries to convince Cochise to save what is left of their men and abandon the fight, but Cochise refuses. Mickey freezes in his first fight and realizes that he had no idea of what it meant to fight and kill. Slowly, Freeman’s men die one by one, first Joseph, then Portell, then Emmett. John Wilson attempts to sneak out for help but is caught by the Apache and killed in front of Cochise. Robert, bitten by a rattlesnake and unable to walk, asks Matthew to kill him so Matthew and Freeman can escape. Despite Freeman’s attempt to stop him, Matthew shoots and kills Robert. Freeman and Matthew realize they cannot make it out of the canyon as the Apache’s mount a final assault. They kill as many as they can and turn their last bullets on one another. Cochise and his men reach the outcropping to find all of them dead and their weapons destroyed. Cochise realizes the futility of the battle. He praises the bravery of Freeman and his men as the Apache’s leave empty handed.

Back in 1915, Mickey thinks of that fateful battle as he dies.