A bounty hunter, Howard Kemp (James Stewart), tries to bring a murderer to justice and is forced to accept the help of two less-than-trustworthy strangers, Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker) and Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell). Kemp's pursuit leads him through Colorado Territory, where he encounters an ambush, Indian attack, and treacherous terrain. As they journey together, Kemp must navigate moral conflicts, greed, and the complexities of human relationships, all while dealing with the $5,000 reward for Vandergroat's capture, "DEAD OR ALIVE."