Ride the High Country is a 1962 Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah. The main character, Steve Judd (played by Joel McCrea), is an aging former lawman who is hired to transport gold from a mining community in the Sierra Nevada mountains to a bank in the town of Hornitos. Judd is joined by his old friend, Gil Westrum (played by Randolph Scott), and a young drifter named Heck Longtree (played by Ron Starr).
As they travel through the dangerous and remote mountain terrain, tensions between the three men begin to rise. Judd is dedicated to completing the job with honor and integrity, while Westrum starts to hint at his plan to double-cross Judd and steal the gold for himself. Longtree is caught in the middle, torn between his loyalty to Judd and his admiration for Westrum.
Along the way, the men encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a gang of outlaws led by a ruthless bandit named Elsa Knudsen (played by Mariette Hartley). Judd, Westrum, and Longtree are forced to work together to fight off Elsa's gang and protect the gold.
Ultimately, Judd and Westrum have a showdown in which Judd is forced to confront his friend's betrayal. The film ends with a dramatic and emotional climax that leaves the audience wondering which character will emerge victorious.
Ride the High Country is widely regarded as one of the best Westerns ever made, thanks in large part to its complex characters, sharp dialogue, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances by McCrea and Scott.