Ransom Stoddard is a successful, but aging U.S. senator, who along with his wife, Hallie, returns to a small western town. They are there to attend the funeral of Tom Doniphon. A young local reporter presses Stoddard for an interview about why he has come to Doniphon's funeral and Doniphon begins to tell a story. Years ago he came to town as young newly-graduated attorney. He was bullied by Liberty Valance, a local tough outlaw, a gunman employed...