The Westerner (1940)

In the rugged, post-Civil War landscape of Texas, the notorious Judge Roy Bean presides over the lawless town of Vinegarroon, branding himself as "The Law West of the Pecos". The judge, a fervent admirer of the international actress Lily Langtry, is infamous for his swift, harsh justice - particularly his penchant for hangings. Into this volatile setting rides a charismatic stranger, Cole Harden, accused of a crime he doesn't fit - horse theft. While standing before the fearsome judge, Harden catches sight of two large portraits of Lily Langtry adorning the bar. Seizing the opportunity, he cleverly weaves a tale of his acquaintance with the admired actress, even claiming possession of a lock of her hair, thereby successfully delaying his hanging. Meanwhile, the town is a powder keg, with tensions escalating between the entrenched cattle ranchers and the new wave of homesteaders, a battle in which Judge Bean is anything but impartial. In a bold play, Harden uses his unexpected reprieve to immerse himself in the heart of this range war, navigating the treacherous divide between the cattlemen and homesteaders. All the while, he bides his time, awaiting the arrival of the illustrious Lily Langtry, the former paramour of Edward VII, whose presence in Texas could tip the balance of power. The Westerner is a complex tale of survival, deception and the grey areas of justice in an unforgiving frontier.

The Westerner is an action movie featuring Gary Cooper.

The Westerner is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Kanopy, Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy The Westerner on Amazon Video.