Buck and the Preacher (1972)

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, a tide of liberated slaves, driven by hopes of free land and a fresh start, chart their course towards the West. Buck, a former slave and Union Army sergeant, seizes this opportunity to become a wagon master, guiding these ambitious settlers through the perilous journey. A seasoned navigator, Buck charges fair wages and utilizes his rapport with local Indian tribes to secure safe passage across their territories, ensuring both the settlers' safety and their need for game to sustain them. Yet, menacing clouds loom on the horizon. Southern plantation owners, aggrieved by the loss of their once-captive workforce, unleash bands of white rogues and outlaws to sabotage these caravans of hope. These marauders lay waste to the wagons, stripping the settlers of their resources, and instill fear, urging them to return to the life they had just escaped. Buck, however, remains undeterred, encouraging the freed slaves to press on towards their dreams of a life in the West. DeShay, the ruthless leader of these rogues, sees Buck as a threat and plots to eliminate him. Despite their relentless pursuit, Buck manages to evade their traps, leading them on a wild chase that eventually leads him to a river where Reverend Willis Oakes Rutherford, a black preacher, is bathing. In a desperate bid, Buck swaps his horse with the preacher's and rides off, leaving the preacher to face DeShay's gang in the town of Copper Springs. Recognizing Buck's horse, the gang presses the preacher for information, promising a hefty reward for Buck's capture or death. DeShay also tasks the preacher with dissuading the black settlers from their westward journey. The preacher, reluctantly agreeing, soon finds himself amidst a wagon train of freed slaves led by Buck. Tensions flare, yet eventually, the preacher joins the caravan. As days pass, the preacher learns of the settlers' money, safely tucked away in a woman's money belt. After a heated confrontation, Buck banishes the preacher from the wagon train and rides off to negotiate safe passage with the Indian tribe. The preacher, however, follows Buck, witnessing the transaction between the wagon master and the Indian chief. Upon their return, they find a scene of devastation - DeShay's gang had attacked the caravan, stolen their money and supplies, and committed unthinkable acts of violence. Despite the heartbreak, Buck rallies the survivors, urging them not to abandon their dreams. Fueled by outrage, Buck and the preacher set their sights on Copper Springs, determined to bring DeShay's gang to justice and reclaim the stolen money. Despite the odds, they stand resolute - two against many, in a high-stakes fight for justice and freedom.

Buck and the Preacher is an action movie featuring Sidney Poitier.

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