Anglo farmers have been stealing Mexican-American villagers' lands, under the pretext of having deeds which pre-empt their ancient Spanish land-grants. The poor people have had enough, and organize under the leadership of Luis Chama (John Saxon). When they nearly kidnap the local judge who had acquiesced in all this, Joe Kidd (Clint Eastwood) intervenes. Anglo landowners try to hire him to join the posse tracking down the rebels, but Joe at first refuses. Later, after his own farm suffers from the rebels' actions, he agrees. After a while, though, he sees the light and does the right thing.