Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) is an idealistic newsman who moves to a small, Western town and starts a newspaper. He very quickly falls for local beauty, Hallie (Vera Miles). His rival, Tom Doniphon (John Wayne, is a local cattle-man. Ransom learns that Tom is a good man and they become friends despite the romantic triangle. Meanwhile, the town becomes plagued by a gang of ruffians led by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). When Ransom publishes an article naming Liberty as a bad guy, he is challenged to a gunfight. Ransom, who’s never shot a gun in his life, shows up and Liberty winds up dead. Ransom sees that Tom actually shot Liberty, from a hidden spot. However, Ransom becomes the local hero. Ransom’s reputation leads to a successful career as a Congressman and a happy marriage to Hallie. Over the years, Ransom is reminded that his success is due to a lie. He is forced to confront his guilt when he comes home to pay his respects to deceased Tom.