More Dead Than Alive (1969)

More Dead Than Alive (1969)

„More Dead Than Alive“ is a 1969 Western film directed by Robert Sparr.

In the 1890’s four desperadoes headed by Luke Santee attempt to free Luke’s younger brother, Wes, from the Arizona Territorial Prison. The break is thwarted by Cain, a man serving 18 years for the killing of a U.S. Marshal. Luke vows revenge on Cain.

Notorious gunslinger „Killer“ Cain is released from prison after 18 years and wants to settle down as a rancher without ever having to touch a gun again. But people are after him for his earlier crimes. Cain finds that no one will give him a job, and there is no place in the new, less violent West for professional gunfighters.

Cain refuses an offer to appear as a sharpshooter in a traveling sideshow owned by showman Dan Ruffalo. Instead he takes a job driving a supply wagon but is ambushed by the Santee gang. Luke Santee tries to settle an old score by beating up Cain, and leaving him for dead in a ghost town. Cain tries to find redemption and peace when he falls in love after being nursed back to health by Monica Alton, an artist from the East who came out west to paint.

Finally, Cain reluctantly signs on with Ruffalo and is billed as „Killer“ Cain, the outlaw with 12 notches in his gun, in Ruffalo’s traveling shooting show. However, after 18 years without practice, Cain is not as good as he once was with a gun.

Yet, Cain’s reputation continues to dog him. Now, he finds that he has incurred the angry jealousy of young Billy Valence, the former star of Ruffalo’s show. Billy is a young rival sharpshooter, with mental issues, looking to build his reputation by killing Cain.

Bothered by Billy’s attempts to provoke a gunfight and annoyed when his old enemy Linus Carson tries to make him draw his gun, Cain leaves the show, encounters Monica at a rundown ranch, and stays to help her fix up the place.

Billy snaps and shoots Ruffalo but is himself killed by Luke Santee. After aiding in the apprehension of Luke, Cain marries Monica and settles down to raise cattle on their ranch.

A short time later, lawyer Rafe Karma appears, opens a briefcase, pulls out a gun and kills Cain, claiming that, years before, Cain had killed his father.

Cast:

„Killer Cain“