Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are two taciturn, driven, traveling gunslingers brought in to free the small New Mexico town of Appaloosa from the ruthless grip of murderous rancher Randall Bragg and his gang. The three men have no concept of compromise and a deadly battle of wits ensues between them, with, of course, a lady offering an alternative life style of domestication and emasculation. 'Appaloosa' is a beautifully shot and brooding western, a dark, brutal, moral allegory.