Western,Drama
United States of America
Count Three and Pray is a 1955 American Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Van Heflin, Joanne Woodward, and Philip Carey. The film is set just after the American Civil War in the late 1860s, in a small rural town in Georgia. The town is in a state of flux, with the aftermath of the war still present, and a new pastor has just arrived.
The new pastor, Reverend RJ Laramie (played by Van Heflin), has a somewhat shady past that he is trying to escape. He has a reputation for being a bit of a troublemaker and a gambler, but he is determined to make a fresh start in this new town and prove himself as a man of the cloth.
However, the townspeople are wary of him, especially when they discover that he has a past connection to an outlaw named Luke (played by Raymond Burr). Luke has recently returned to town and is causing trouble for the locals. The tensions between the townspeople and the new pastor come to a head when Luke targets Reverend Laramie, and the two men face off in a dramatic confrontation.
Throughout the film, we see flashbacks to Reverend Laramie's former life and his connection to Luke. We also see his growing relationship with a young widow named Lissy (played by Joanne Woodward), who becomes an important figure in his life as he tries to navigate the challenges of his new role in the town.
Count Three and Pray is a gripping drama that explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the struggle to overcome one's past. It is a well-crafted film with strong performances from the cast, particularly Van Heflin in the lead role.
