In the film, Lee Van Cleef portrays Jonathan Corbett, a renowned and respected bounty hunter known for his unparalleled skill and efficiency in capturing notorious outlaws. At the height of his career, Corbett is enticed by a wealthy Texas railroad tycoon's proposal to embark on a political career. However, a condition precedes his transition into politics: he must track down and apprehend Cuchillo Sanchez, a Mexican peasant accused of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl. Despite doubts about Cuchillo's guilt, Corbett accepts the task, seeing it as his final mission before retiring from bounty hunting for a life in politics. The pursuit sets off across Texas, drawing him into a complex chase that tests his skills and moral compass.

As Corbett pursues Cuchillo across diverse and challenging terrains, from arid deserts to treacherous mountains, the chase becomes more than a simple manhunt. It evolves into a profound personal journey, challenging Corbett's beliefs about justice, honor, and morality. Meanwhile, Cuchillo, more cunning and elusive than any prey Corbett has ever pursued, uses his wit and survival skills to evade capture, leading Corbett on a merry chase that involves deceit, traps, and the questioning of loyalty and truth. Along the way, the bounty hunter encounters various individuals who either aid or seek to deter his quest, complicating his mission further and forcing him to reconsider what he knows about the law, justice, and humanity.