1961 - WAGON TRAIN – The Tiburcio Mendez Story

Hawks: Terry Wilson
Tiburcio Mendez: Nehemiah Persoff
Alma: Lisa Gaye
Joaquin Delago: Leonard Nimoy 
Judge Alfred Black: Russel Collins

California at the time the Wagon Trains keep on arriving. 

The Californian people are driven out of their areas into Mexico. Some do not agree to either adjust to the American people and be treated second class or to leave. They decided to fight the newcomers. The most famous among them is Tiburcio Mendez. A caring father and tribesman for his clan and a tough fighter against invaders. Tiburcio Mendez' daughter is in love with a young man in the clan, Joaquin Delago, and she is worried about the health of her father. He's getting older and the living conditions are to hard to live a healthy life for any of them. Joaquin knows about her worries and intends to fight on as fierce as possible. 

This Wagon Train is lead by Hawks. When judge Black tries to negotiate a safe passage for the Wagon Train with Mendez, he is taken hostage. As Hawk is trying to find him, he follows a man on a horse, whose jacket and hat are the judge's, calling after him. As he comes closer he looks at Joaquin's revolver pointed at him. Both taken hostage, the judge and Hawks manage to talk to Mendez. They know that they are going to be killed and they see the poor living conditions the people are suffering under. Slowly Mendez begins to understand the hopelessness of the situation. They have no chance to resist the masses to come in future. Their hiding places become less and smaller. 

Now Joaquin challanges Mendez. He fears to give up all their dreams of freedom they had and is facing two choices given by Mendez: To submit or to leave. Joaquin leaves with a heavy heart, especially when it comes to a talk with Mendez' daughter. She stays with her father and understands his need to fight on for their freedom. Mendez knows that Joaquin has to attack this wagon train in order to get supplies. He offers himself and his men to ride with Hawks and his people. As Joaquin and his men attack the wagon train, Joaquin shoots Mendez, whom he loves dearly. In total desperation he holds the dying man in his arms and the dying Mendez leads his hand and his daughter's hand together. Joaquin and his men submit to the ways of the newcomers.