Will Kane, now a private citizen living happily with his family, returns to the town of Hadleyville one year after the events of
High Noon to conduct some business. He finds that the town is now in the hands of J.D. Ward, a corrupt marshal who allows his deputies to abuse and terrorize the citizens. Ward even shows his contempt for Kane by shooting the horses he purchased knowing that Kane can do nothing about it. Kane learns that Ward has organized a manhunt for outlaw Ben Irons and his men to collect the large
bounty on their heads, despite the fact that none of them have committed any crimes and he is therefore acting outside of his authority as marshal. Kane, disgusted by Ward's actions and sharing a small friendship with Irons that dates back to his time as marshal, decides to help him escape from the law. Despite his efforts, Irons is shot and killed. Ward attempts to have Kane arrested for aiding a fugitive, but the townspeople turn on him and the local authorities, despite previously ignoring Ward's abuses, reinstate Kane as marshal and give him a warrant to jail Ward. Kane is given the old marshal's star he threw away at the end of the first movie, and kills Ward when he resists arrest. The movie ends with Kane sharing a tender moment with his wife and surrounded by the townspeople, finally grateful for all he's done for them. ==Cast==