Of course, you know the story: Frank Miller's return will spell disaster for Marshal Will Kane and his bride Amy. Amy chooses to flee. Will must seek the help of the townspeople, but one by one and in groups they turn away, afraid or uncaring, forsaking their duty to the community and ultimately to themselves. The church, surely the bastion of goodness and light, cannot rally its people to defend the right. Even his oldest friend will step away from the line of fire, giving a valid but hopeless response. Will must overcome his fear and despair and face the situation alone.
In the ensuing battle, Will dispatches two of Frank's henchmen but is left wounded and vulnerable. The last accomplice stands before the marshal's office ready to kill.
Amy has not fled, but the cowards have left no alternatives, forcing her to choose between Will's life and death, between faith and duty. We have already seen a glimpse of Amy's only remaining path (adj. photo). She takes it, leaving Will a path to survival.
They leave town, she in hope of happiness, he in contempt for its residents.
OK, America, what's really going on here?
"Frank Miller" has already had one chance to victimize the community. He perpetrated all manner of crimes while the people stood silent. He wants to do so again.
A gang of sycophants has formed around Frank, hoping to grab the scraps he discarded and to replace him should he fall. They will speak and act for him, not tolerating the least resistance and grabbing all they can.
A minority knows that action is necessary to stop a return to chaos. Even those are willing to tolerate evil imposed on others and to let that evil rise to the ultimate destruction of the community. Few or none are willing to be the tallest nail, even to the limited extent of speaking out against Frank.
A legal process is in place to deal with the danger, but unless the citizenry coalesces around the law, Miller and his gang will overwhelm them individually.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Like Will and Amy, those who act for the good of others will be remembered, while those who acquiesce will be reviled.
Rewind the film. We are still together in the church with many options. We must not force Amy to the wall again.
—RC
