Shane (Alan Ladd) rides on to the land of a family of farmers trying to settle their land. Joe Starrett (Van Heflin) accepts him as a work-hand on his farm with some reservations, but his wife, Marian Starrett (Jean Arthur) has intuitive insight that Shane will protect her husband and son beyond what he can do for their farm. The boy, Joey Starrett (Brandon De Wilde) comes closer to worshipping Shane as a hero. Shane has a past as a gun fighter, but wants to stay out of trouble. But when trouble comes to him in the form of the Ryker gang who are intent on running out the farmers so that cattle ranchers can have the land to roam their cattle without fences, Shane is forced to get involved. The Rykers hire Jack Wilson(Walter Jack Palance) to fight Shane in a duel. Against his parents and Shane's wishes, Joey witnesses the whole conflict and it leaves a lasting impression on him of his hero.