King of the Pecos (1936)

In the parched, sun-beaten terrain of the Pecos River country, a ruthless profiteer named Alexander Stiles stakes claim to a million acres of fertile range. He sets his covetous eyes on the water-rich oasis of Sweetwater, owned by the steadfast rancher Clayborn. Despite Stiles' tempting offer, Clayborn stands resolutely, refusing to relinquish his land. However, the shadow of tragedy falls, and the Clayborns meet a grim end at the hands of Stiles' gunslingers, leaving their young son John as the lone survivor. Years pass, and John, now a man, emerges from the crucible of adversity, armed with the power of the law and the steel of a six-gun. As John Clay, lawyer and avenger, he embarks on a quest to bring his parents' murderer to justice. He journeys to Cottonwood, the stronghold of Stiles, the self-proclaimed King of the Pecos. Here, he encounters Hank Matthews and Josh Billings, two cattlemen made destitute by Stiles' crooked dealings. John's mission to dethrone the King begins as he serves Stiles a summons to appear in court. However, facing the might of Stiles proves daunting even for the circuit judge. Aided by a band of armed ranchers rallied by Hank, they successfully besiege Cottonwood and secure a ruling in favor of the ranchers' water and grazing rights. Stiles' empire begins to crumble as his ill-gotten gains are returned to the public domain. The cunning Stiles, however, is not easily defeated. He spins a web of deceit around newcomers Eli Jackson and his daughter Belle, convincing them of John's supposed treachery. In a wicked twist of irony, Stiles plans an ambush for the claimants, instructing his gunmen to kill any rider without a white armband. But John, ever vigilant, uncovers the plot, ensuring the ranchers' safe passage by having them wear the same armbands. As the dust settles, the ranchers plan a cattle drive to Abilene, hoping to earn $20 a head promised by the railroad. Stiles, ever the opportunist, plots to steal their cattle and extort money from the trail drivers for the use of Sweetwater. The moment of reckoning arrives when John confronts Stiles at Sweetwater, revealing his true identity as Clayborn's son. After a tense standoff, Stiles meets an ironic end, crushed by the safe containing the money he stole. In the rocky wilderness, John confronts Ash, offering him a chance to draw his gun first. After a brutal showdown, Ash falls, and John leaves his quest for vengeance behind, turning his focus to Belle and his promising career in law. A tale of justice and retribution, King of the Pecos is a riveting journey through the rugged landscapes of the Old West.

King of the Pecos is an action movie featuring John Wayne and directed by Joseph Kane.

King of the Pecos is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and Xumo Play.