Charley-One-Eye (1973)

In the aftermath of a fatal confrontation with an officer, a black Union soldier finds himself on the run, deserting his post and venturing towards the harsh wilderness on the path to the Mexican border. During his flight, he stumbles upon a crippled, wandering Native American. At first, their interaction is marked by dominance, with the soldier wielding his authority over the Indian, his words as sharp as his knife and his mockery as harsh as the desert sun. Yet as they navigate the treacherous landscape, an unlikely camaraderie begins to bloom, transforming their initial animosity into a bond of mutual survival. Their journey leads them to the remnants of an old Spanish church, its decaying walls offering a safe haven and a life-giving water well. But they are not the first to seek refuge here. The church is littered with remnants of a prospector's life, his body and his mule's lying cold and still, their existence reduced to a crate of live chickens, scattered firearms, food supplies, moonshine jugs, and other assorted items. Amidst the chaos, they find solace, their days filled with the simple pleasures of fried chicken and shared drinks. Among their scavenged treasures is a one-eyed chicken, affectionately named Charley One Eye by the Indian who vows to care for it, a beacon of companionship in their desolate circumstances. However, their newfound peace is precariously balanced on the edge of a knife, for the deserter has a price on his head, a bounty hunter relentlessly trailing his steps. Furthermore, the region is not devoid of danger, with murderous Mexican bandits lurking in the shadows. As their journey unfolds, the two men find themselves drawn into a whirlpool of danger and violence, their lives hanging by a thread, the echoes of their past threatening to shatter the fragile alliance they have formed. The tale of Charley One-Eye is one of survival, friendship, and the cruel hand of fate, painting a vivid picture of two men bound by circumstance in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

Charley-One-Eye is a western movie featuring Richard Roundtree.

It is possible to buy Charley-One-Eye on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.