Now Showing: The Devil's Run

 

The Devil's Run

Genre: Western/Action

Director: Lance Daly

Writer: Jimmy Ellis

Sequel to The Devil's Revenge

Cast: Mahershala Ali, Bill Pullman, Eric Christian Olsen, Lukas Gage, Dylan Schmid, Samara Weaving, Lucas Till, Mark Boone Junior, Jurnee Smollett, Storm Reid, Christian Cooke

Plot: Harry Holt (Mahershala Ali) and Jed C. Akerman (Eric Christian Olsen) stand at the burial site of Ossian Mckenzie. The two of them with hats in hand, Harry looks toward Jed as a tear rolls down his eye. Harry tells him that they avenged his death, however Ossian would want them to live on, and not stand about waiting. He adds that by now Sherriff Johnstone would have found Canton and they would be on the search for them and the chest. Holt tells him of his plan to simply head home, and if Jed wants, he can join him. Jed tells him he can’t see living out at Twin Reach now anyway so he might as well venture out with Harry. Harry tells him to get ready. But as they put their hats back on they are hit from behind by someone.

Harry’s eyes slowly open, he realises he is on the back of a horse tied up to prevent his movement. He hears two voices, their captors. The two people call each other Edwin (Lukas Gage) and Elmer (Dylan Schmid). Harry realises that these two men are the infamous Dodge brothers, wanted for countless murder by torture. Harry understanding the predicament he and Jed have found themselves in begins to think what he can do. The camera pans to show the brothers front on, talking as they ride. Edwin, the older of the two tells him that bagging and killing the great Harry Holt will increase their reputation countrywide. Elmer smiles but asks who exactly the other guy is, Edwin just shrugs his shoulder having no idea.

Although having his hands tied together Harry manages to reach down to his boot and pull out a knife, with the Dodge brothers still unaware. Harry carefully cuts himself free from the rope and reaches into the saddle of Edwin’s horse to grab out a gun. Elmer finally notices him moving and pulls out his own gun, Harry aims the gun up and shoots only managing to shoot Elmer’s hand, causing the gun to drop to the ground. This startles both horses, and as they buck all 4 men are thrown from the horses. All of this wakes Jed, and as he hits the ground Harry throws him the knife to free himself. Harry hides behind a rock and peaks to fire at the brothers. Jed is now free but with no gun he seeks cover. To cover him Harry continues firing at the Dodge brothers. Both Dodge brothers have their guns but instead of fighting they decide to make a run for it. One horse begins to run closer toward the brothers and they decide to take the chance. Harry has run out of bullets, so decides to let them go, however Jed has the knife. As the boys ride past firing at them, Jed throws the knife and hits Edwin in the side. The Dodge brothers ride into the distance both wounded. After they were gone Harry and Jed make their way toward the second horse, which has the chest on it. Jed says that they should head back to Ossian’s burial site to gather their belongings, however Harry says that they still have the chest, and going back now is just a death sentence. Canton and Johnstone will be catching up soon. Jed agrees so the two of them get on the horse and ride off into the distance, headed for Holt Ranch.

Sherriff Johnstone (Bill Pullman) and Deputy Maurice Canton (Lucas Till) stumble upon Ossian’s burial site, and notice one of the brother’s horses standing nearby. They approach the horse and begin searching through the saddle, not finding anything, so the two head over to the burial site with Harry and Jed’s belongings. They realise however that there is no chest nearby. The two of them decide to wait around to see if they return. Canton asks why it is that he wants the chest so bad. Johnstone tells him that it is a promise he made not too long ago, that’s why he needs that back. He thought that Holt would have the honour to just deliver it to him, but obviously he was wrong.

As night is around the corner Johnstone notices the sound of a horse. Coming up toward them is the Dodge brothers. Edwin is clearly in some pain, so Elmer pulls up toward them asking for help. Johnstone asks why they should help them, and Elmer simply says, they know someone that can lead them to Holt Ranch. Johnstone tells them that he will help his brother tend to his wound, then he must take them to Holt Ranch. As Canton and Johnstone tend to Edwin, Elmer tells them that Holt and Akerman will need to be slowed down, if they want to get to the ranch before them. Johnstone tells him that they already have it covered, they have a bounty on Holt and Akerman’s heads, and some of the best will try. Elmer says that Holt is a much beloved man so the bounty better be a good one. Johnstone just smiles.

Harry and Jed are parched and in need of rest. With nothing to camp with, they start spitballing of places to go. Jed mentions Angel’s Hollow, the town doesn’t have many people and it could give them a good nights rest for cheap. Seeing no better ideas Harry agrees and the two head off to Angel’s Hollow.

They arrive in town to a silence in the air, however as they venture further in they can hear cheers from the saloon. They hitch the horse and jump off. The two begin to walk inside and the saloon is packed full of people. The pair of them receive a few looks from the patrons inside but nothing comes of it. They go to the bartender and order two drinks. Jed asks if Sandra Joe is in tonight and the bartender points to the stairs of the saloon, where a large group of men gather and cheer. Sandra Joe (Samara Weaving), sporting makeup and a corset, “teases” the men, before spotting Jed among the crowd. She walks over to him and Harry, telling them to come with her. She leads the two to a bedroom and the group of men boo. She tells them to sit on the bed and closes the door. Harry looks to Jed and asks if this is why he wanted to come to Angel’s Hollow. Harry says he is happily married and asks to leave the room, Sandra, however, demand he stay. She begins to lift her dress, and quickly grabs out a knife, she attempts to stab Harry with it, slicing his ribs slightly. He falls to the ground. Jed reaches for his gun but is unable to find it. Sandra stands holding it saying they don’t want to disturb the other guys downstairs. Sandra kicks Harry in the head while he is down. Holding the knife pointed toward Jed, Sandra asks if he thought it was a good idea coming to town after he didn’t come back all those years ago, especially now since he is a wanted man. Jed seems almost surprised that he is wanted, and that it happened this quickly. He tells Sandra that he will sort something out, they can get her whatever she wants. Sandra simply says that she wants the money for their heads, especially that of Harry Holt’s. She walks toward Jed now with intent to kill. Harry however sweeps her leg. The gun falls from her hand and Jed grabs it. Sandra quickly gets out of the room before Jed has time to react. He checks on Harry who seems alright considering. Jed and Harry attempt to leave but they have to go down the stairs to get out. By this time Sandra had run to the bartender to get help. The Bartender has pulled out a gun of his own and has started to fire upon Jed and Harry. Hearing these shots a few men in the bar begin to brawl, with another few firing their guns. Sandra and the bartender have their guns aimed at Harry and Jed, the latter of which only having one gun.

Sandra calls out to them saying they might as well give up now. They know they won’t make it out. Harry tries to reason with her, he is just trying to get home to his family. He tells her about the chest, out with the horse. She can have a portion of what is inside if she just let them walk away. As he is saying this he is grabbing the gun from Jed. As he sees Sandra and the bartender lower their guns slightly – through a mirror nearby – he turns and sends a bullet flying straight through the bartenders eye. Sandra immediately dives for cover. The brawl with the other men in constantly ongoing and two men run into Sandra, she shoots the both of them. Jed now tries to reason with Sandra saying that she can live tonight, all she has to do is let them go. Sandra is hesitant to do it, the reward is a lot of money, but Jed yells that she can take what the saloon has stashed away, the bartender won’t be needing it, it is all hers, she can start a new life. Harry gives Jed a look as if to ask what he is doing, Jed tells him everyone deserves a second chance. She yells back asking how she knows they won’t kill her. Jed tells Harry to throw his gun away. Harry says no way, but Jed demand it, do it for him. Harry throws his gun away, as does Sandra. Jed and Harry walk down the stairs of the saloon toward the exit. A few drunk men try to attack the pair, but they just knock them out. Sandra stands and apologises to Jed she had no idea what she was thinking. As she apologises she pulls out a gun from under her dress. Harry quickly slides to a gun that was on the floor and shoots Sandra three times. He picks Jed up and rushes out of the saloon. Harry steals another horse, to have two now. Checking the saddle he finds a gun. The two ride off quicker than they came in.

The next morning although still hurting, the Dodge brothers lead Canton and Johnstone to a little homestead. Edwin tells them that this is the home of Pierce Ulrich, he used to run with Holt, Jed and Ossian a while back. The Elmer tells them that Pierce is fragile and can be made to talk easily. Johnstone tells the brothers to let him do the talking but they can do what they do best. Canton objects to this but Johnstone just tells him to wait outside.

Johnstone knocks on the door (with the boys out of sight), and after a beat Pierce Ulrich (Christian Cooke) answers the door, with a gun in hand. Johnstone introduces himself and assures him that there is no need for a gun, he is just here to ask some questions if that’s okay with him. Johnstone enters but as he does he moves to the side allowing the Dodge brothers to storm in and grab a hold of Pierce. They pin him to the ground and tie his hands and feet together. Edwin grabs a knife and holds it up against his finger. Johnstone stands over Pierce and asks where Holt’s ranch is. The camera now focuses on Canton with the horses as screams from inside can be heard.

Riding up through the mountains as to avoid any more threats, Jed and Harry talk of Madora and Lavinia. Harry tells him that his return is a much needed one as the last letter he received from them told him of the nearby campers that have been getting closer and closer to the ranch. Harry adds that Lavinia was smart enough to call in her brother for help, but he is no fighter. As the two begin to talk they hear a rustle in the mountainous trees. A silence falls upon the pair, they slow the horses down and keep an eye out. Growling is heard as well as the rustle now. Suddenly Jed’s horse is attacked by a hound, then another hound appears and goes after Jed’s leg. Harry attempts to shoot the dog but is bitten on the hand by a third. Jed is thrown to the ground and the two hounds place a paw each on him. A whistle can be heard coming out of the trees. A large man emerges sporting a bushy beard and a fur coat. The man states that his name is Tanner Arnold and the two of them are in his territory. He aims his gun at Harry as Harry raises his hands. Harry tells him what they are doing but Tanner doesn’t buy it. He’s had men travel through his territory that want it for themselves and nothing more. Harry tells him his name, and offers him the chest, however after hearing the name he immediately snaps back that the chest cannot make him anywhere near as wealthy as the bounty for the two of them can. The dogs are still growling, Jed is beginning to get largely uncomfortable, however he signals to Harry bout the knife in the saddle. Sharply Harry leans back on his horse and grabs the knife just as Tanner pulls the trigger. The shot hits the horse and causes it to fall. Harry throws the knife at one of the hounds on Jed and allows Jed to grab the gun on the ground, he flicks it up to Harry just as the hound attacks his hand. Letting out screams Jed tries to fight off the hound. Harry shoots the hound as it drops to the ground in agony. The remaining hound retreats behind Tanner, who has a shotgun in hand. Jed is losing an uncontrollable amount of blood from both his hand and leg. In behind cover, Jed knows that he can’t get out of here alive. He tells Harry to give his love to Madora and Lavinia. Jed rises and is immediately shot down by Tanner. Harry then immediately rises and puts a bullet in Tanner’s head. This scares the final hound off. Harry immediately tends to Jed but it is of no use, the gun shot was fatal. Harry pays his final respects to Jed as he closes his eyes and lays his hat on his chest.

Dejected, Harry picks up the chest and decides to carry it back to Holt ranch as he is merely 3 miles away.

Johnstone, Canton and the Dodge brothers arrive at Holt Ranch. Johnstone and Canton walk to the door. It is answered by Lavinia. She asks what she can do for two lawmen like themselves. Johnstone smiles telling her that her husband has wronged him so he is wanting to make these things right. He introduces his “associates” the Dodge brothers. Lavinia steps back hearing their names. The two of them walk in smiling. They ask Johnstone what they want them to do with the girls. Johnstone says that he doesn’t really care. Canton speaks up asking Johnstone if he’s really going to allow the boys to do what they want. Johnstone supposes that he shouldn’t he tells the boys to just tie them up, no funny business. He then looks to Canton and slaps him across the face, telling him not to step out of line.

While tied up Lavinia and Madora are approached by the Dodge brothers. Edwin gets in the face of Lavinia and whispers in her ear that he intends to f*** her. When he rises Lavinia spits in his face, telling him the only person he can f*** is himself. Edwin slaps Lavinia for this and grabs her by her throat. This leads to Madora screaming at Edwin to let go of her mother. Canton sees what is going on and storms into the room he throws Edwin off of Lavinia. Edwin and Elmer both look to him smiling. Canton puts up his fists for a fight. They begin swinging at him, with Canton landing some punches as well. Johnstone can hear the commotion but doesn’t bother interrupting thinking nothing of it. Suddenly Elmer pulls out his gun and fires it at Canton killing him. Madora and Lavinia scream as blood covers there faces as well as the Dodge brothers. Johnstone runs into the room asking what the fu** they just did.

Holt hears the gunshot and knows that it came from the direction of his ranch. With all the energy and will he has left he runs toward the ranch. He can see 4 horses out the front that aren’t the girls. He enters the barn and opens a hatch, he throws the chest in there. Holt then sneaks behind the house, adjacent to the room the girls are in. The Dodge brothers and Johnstone leave the room and Johnstone chastises them. Holt pops his head up at the window and the girls see him. He tells them to keep it quiet, he’s here now. He sees the body of Canton, shaking his head. With no ammo or guns he sneaks in through the window and cuts Madora free he tells her to sneak into the next room to get his rifle. She nods and slowly opens a door to the next. Harry kisses Lavinia. Johnstone finishes chastising the boys and tells them to grabs the girls and take them out the front. The Dodge Brothers come back into the room, Madora is back there sitting next to her mother. When they go to pick them up, Madora kicks Elmer in the balls, before dropping to the ground with her mother. Holt rises at the windowsill and fires a bullet straight through the middle of Elmer’s head. Stumbling back Edwin falls into the next room. Johnstone is hiding behind cover. Edwin stutters and tells him that Holt is here. Holt calls out to Johnstone telling him he thought he was a good lawman. Johnstone says he is, but when pushed he can do unsavoury things. Holt tells him that the girls aren’t apart of this he tells Johnstone to let them go. Johnstone disagrees, the girls became a part of it when Harry decided to steal the chest for himself. Harry gives Johnstone the same offer he gave everyone else, he will go halves with him in the contents of the chest. Johnstone tells him he can’t do that, he offers 75% instead. Edwin looks over to Johnstone telling him to up the price, he needs his cut too. Johnstone looks at Edwin and simply shoot him. Holt questions the gunshot, Johnstone tells him that he had to get rid of the remaining Dodge. Holt tells him he has a deal. They agree to throw their guns out into the room and the two of them will walk out. They do so. After a split second Johnstone reaches for a second gun, Holt dives for his and turns to shoot Johnstone, Holt’s bullet goes through the eye of Johnstone. Holt is laid out on the floor of his house. Lavinia and Madora run to his side. Blood trickles from his side. He gasps for air. He places a hand on Madora’s face as tears roll down her eyes. Lavinia places a kiss on his forehead. He whispers to her about the barn and tells her to start again. With his last breath Holt tells them he loves them and everything will be ok, and to go to Plain Landing to start anew.