The year is 1879. Nineteen-year-old William Bonney, nicknamed Billy the Kid, has served in the war and now works on the ranch of John Tunstall, who is like a father to him. Therefore, he feels obligated to support John when he has a run-in with the corrupt Sheriff Brady. Brady wants to drive John off his land, which a wealthy landowner wants to seize. When Tunstall refuses, he is ambushed and shot dead. Billy witnesses the murder and exacts deadly revenge on Brady and his deputy. Now the landowner believes he has the right to hunt Billy down. Billy seeks protection from Governor Wallace, who, however, cannot or will not help him.