Screenplay data
In 1945, one-armed veteran John J. Macreedy arrives in the isolated town of Black Rock, where hostile residents, led by rancher Reno Smith, refuse to help him find a Japanese-American farmer named Komako, whom Macreedy seeks to honor for saving his life. Macreedy discovers that Smith, fueled by anti-Japanese sentiment, murdered Komako and buried him, with the townspeople complicit in covering up the crime. After escalating confrontations, Smith ambushes Macreedy and Liz, killing Liz, but Macreedy manages to wound Smith and bring him back to town. With Smith captured and the truth exposed, Macreedy departs Black Rock, leaving the town to face the consequences of its dark secret.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A lone stranger, Macreedy, arrives in the closedâminded town of Black Rock searching for answers about a missing man.
Open full beat sheetJohn J. Macreedy is listed as Protagonist. A granite-like man with calm, piercing eyes and a paralyzed left arm. In the parsed data, John J. Macreedy is connected to 31 scenes, 189 dialogue lines, 191 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
31 scenes / 189 dialogue linesReno Smith is listed as Antagonist. Handsome, taut-faced, owner of the Triple-Bar ranch. In the parsed data, Reno Smith is connected to 17 scenes, 88 dialogue lines, 89 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
17 scenes / 88 dialogue linesDoc Velie is listed as Supporting. Elderly, untidy gentleman, assayer, notary, mortician, and veterinarian. In the parsed data, Doc Velie is connected to 16 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
16 scenes / 70 dialogue linesPete is listed as Supporting. Hotel clerk, Liz's brother, soft features, uneasy. In the parsed data, Pete is connected to 16 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
16 scenes / 28 dialogue linesHector David is listed as Henchman. Enormous man, tall with a nasty, raw-boned tautness. In the parsed data, Hector David is connected to 13 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 24 dialogue linesColey Trimble is listed as Henchman. Enormous man, anthropoid type with long thick arms and a round belly. In the parsed data, Coley Trimble is connected to 11 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
11 scenes / 20 dialogue linesTim Horn is listed as Supporting. Sheriff of Black Rock, alcoholic. In the parsed data, Tim Horn is connected to 7 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 39 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
7 scenes / 39 dialogue linesMr. Hastings is listed as Supporting. Postal telegraph agent, man of middle years and exorbitant mediocrity. In the parsed data, Mr. Hastings is connected to 7 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
7 scenes / 18 dialogue linesSam is listed as Supporting. Middle-aged proprietor of the restaurant. In the parsed data, Sam is connected to 7 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
7 scenes / 4 dialogue linesLiz Brooks is listed as Supporting. Attractive girl of twenty, runs the garage. In the parsed data, Liz Brooks is connected to 6 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
6 scenes / 27 dialogue linesT.J. is listed as Minor. A boy of nine. In the parsed data, T.J. is connected to 1 scene, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
1 scenes / 7 dialogue linesThe streamliner train makes an unexpected stop at the dilapidated Black Rock station, and Macreedy disembarks.
John J. Macreedy, Mr. Hastings, Tim HornHastings calls Pete to report the arrival of the stranger.
Mr. Hastings, PeteMacreedy walks toward the hotel while being watched by the townspeople.
John J. Macreedy, Coley Trimble, Hector DavidMacreedy attempts to check into the hotel, but Pete is uncooperative.
John J. Macreedy, Hector David, PeteMacreedy finds Hector waiting in his room.
John J. Macreedy, Hector DavidMacreedy comes downstairs and asks Pete about renting a car.
John J. Macreedy, Doc Velie, Pete, SamMacreedy asks for a rental car, is directed to the garage by Doc, and leaves while being watched by the locals.
John J. Macreedy, Doc Velie, PeteMacreedy encounters Coley and Reno Smith arriving in a station wagon.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Coley TrimbleSmith discusses the stranger with his men and Doc Velie.
Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, Hector David, Doc Velie, Pete, SamMacreedy meets T.J. at the garage.
John J. Macreedy, T.J.Hastings reports to Smith, who orders a background check on Macreedy.
Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, Hector David, Doc Velie, Pete, Mr. HastingsMacreedy questions Sheriff Tim Horn about Komako.
John J. Macreedy, Tim HornSmith confronts Macreedy; Macreedy rents a jeep from Liz.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Liz BrooksSmith pressures Tim to remain passive.
Reno Smith, Tim HornHastings receives a wire stating there is no record of Macreedy.
Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, Hector David, Doc Velie, Pete, Tim HornSmith, Coley, and Pete discuss the threat posed by Macreedy while others watch from a distance.
Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, Pete, Hector David, Sam, Mr. HastingsTim struggles with his conscience and his past failures as a sheriff, while Doc tries to encourage him.
Tim Horn, Doc VelieMacreedy visits the ruins of a ranch house and finds a patch of flowers.
John J. MacreedyColey watches Macreedy from a distance using binoculars.
Coley TrimbleColey pursues Macreedy in a car chase, attempting to run him off the road.
John J. Macreedy, Coley TrimbleMacreedy returns to town and confronts Coley in front of the hotel.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Coley TrimbleMacreedy attempts to check out of the hotel, but finds there is no transportation available.
John J. Macreedy, Pete, Reno SmithMacreedy confronts Liz about the jeep and the town's behavior.
John J. Macreedy, Liz BrooksSmith invites Macreedy to sit and talk, questioning him about his background.
John J. Macreedy, Reno SmithMacreedy and Smith discuss the nature of men, the war, and the disappearance of Komako.
John J. Macreedy, Reno SmithMacreedy approaches Doc's office while Hector David watches from an alley.
John J. Macreedy, Hector DavidMacreedy asks Doc for help, but Doc warns him to leave town.
John J. Macreedy, Doc VeliePete blocks Macreedy's call under Smith's supervision.
Reno Smith, PeteHector sabotages the hearse, preventing Macreedy from leaving.
John J. Macreedy, Hector David, Doc VelieMacreedy tries to send a telegram to the state police.
John J. Macreedy, Mr. HastingsMacreedy is confronted by Smith and Coley at the restaurant.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, SamMacreedy confronts Coley and Smith, eventually fighting and defeating Coley before challenging Smith.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Coley Trimble, SamMacreedy waits for a telegram, Smith strips Tim of his badge, and Macreedy confronts Pete about the past.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Hector David, Doc Velie, Pete, Tim HornPete calls Liz to arrange for her to pick up Macreedy, while Doc and Macreedy listen.
John J. Macreedy, Doc Velie, Pete, Liz BrooksPete, Doc, and Hector wait in the lobby before Hector leaves.
Hector David, Doc Velie, PeteHector sees a jeep arrive and approaches it.
Hector DavidPete and Doc prepare an ambush for Hector.
Hector David, Doc Velie, PetePete signals Macreedy.
PeteMacreedy meets Doc and heads for the alley.
John J. Macreedy, Doc VelieMacreedy escapes in Liz's jeep.
John J. Macreedy, Liz BrooksMacreedy and Liz drive toward the desert.
John J. Macreedy, Liz BrooksSmith ambushes Macreedy and Liz.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Liz BrooksMacreedy returns with Smith and the body of Liz.
John J. Macreedy, Reno Smith, Doc Velie, Pete, Tim HornMacreedy leaves Black Rock.
John J. Macreedy, Doc VelieYou killed Komako. Sooner or later you'll go up for it. Not because you killed him -- in this town you probably could have gotten away with it -- but because you didn't even have the guts to do it alone. You put your trust in guys like him... and Hector -- they're not the most dependable of God's creatures. Sooner or later they'll get the idea you're playing them for saps. What'll you do then -- peel them off, one by one? And in the meantime if any one of them breaks, you'll go down hard. Because they got something on you. Something to use when things get tough.
I don't know. People are always looking for something in this part of the West. To the historian, it's the "Old West." To the book writers, it's the "Wild West." To the businessmen, it's the "Undeveloped West." They all say we're backward and poor, and I guess we are. We don't even have enough water. But this place, to us, is our West. I just wish they'd leave us alone.
I can't let you alone! I can't let myself alone! Don't you understand that? Four years ago something terrible happened here. We did nothing about it. Nothing. The whole town fell into a sort of settled melancholy, and the people in it closed their eyes and held their tongues and failed the test with a whimper.
Liz, Liz... There's not much of me left any more, but however little it is I won't waste it! I'm telling you because we need your help. No matter about the past -- you've got to do this! You'd be saving two lives, Liz. Macreedy's, and mine. All right. Yeah... I've told him everything.
When you wear that badge, you're the Law. And when something happens, against the Law, you're supposed to do something about it. It's your job. Me... I did nothin'. And that's what's eatin' me.
Something's buried out there. See these wild flowers? That means a grave. I've seen it overseas. I figure it isn't a man's grave or someone would have marked it. Sort of a mystery, isn't it?
Wasn't he a Jap? Look, Macreedy, there's a law in this county against shooting dogs. But if I see a mad dog loose, I don't wait for him to bite me. I swear, you're beginning to make me mad.
I don't know. Maybe he figures, needle me enough and I'll crack. Maybe I'll even fight back. Then he or Hector -- your other ape -- would beat me to death and cop a plea of self-defense.
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