Rough Night in Jericho (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A former deputy builds a resistance against a corrupt lawman whose violent rule ends in a fatal hillside showdown.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Ambush and Old Alliances

Flood ambushes a stagecoach and wounds Hickman, who is brought into Jericho by Dolan. The former lawmen reunite with Molly, while Molly's bitter history with Flood becomes clear.

Key Events

• Stagecoach Ambush — Flood ambushes the stagecoach and wounds Hickman from a distance. Characters: Alex Flood, Dolan, Ben Hickman Location: Road to Jericho
• Wounded Driver Reaches Town — Dolan brings the wounded Hickman into Jericho. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman Location: Jericho
• Former Lawmen Revealed — Hickman and Dolan's former law-enforcement history is established. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman Location: Jericho
• Meeting Molly Lang — The partners meet Molly, their associate in the stage line. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang Location: Jericho
• Flood's Past With Molly — Molly's former romance with Flood and hatred of him are revealed. Characters: Alex Flood, Molly Lang Location: Jericho

A Town Under Threat

Flood uses a lynch mob and dynamite to terrorize Jericho. While Hickman recovers, Dolan becomes attached to Molly and prepares to defend her stagecoach line.

Key Events

• Flood's Past With Molly — Molly's former romance with Flood and hatred of him are revealed. Characters: Alex Flood, Molly Lang Location: Jericho
• Lynch Mob Enforces Rule — Flood forms a lynch mob against a man who challenged his gang. Characters: Alex Flood Location: Jericho
• Ryan's Home Destroyed — Flood dynamites the home of a townsman organizing secretly. Characters: Alex Flood Location: Jericho
• Hickman Recovers — Hickman remains recovering while Dolan grows closer to Molly. Characters: Ben Hickman, Dolan, Molly Lang Location: Jericho
• Stage Line Seized — Flood's men try to take over Molly's stagecoach line. Characters: Dolan, Molly Lang, Yarbrough Location: Stagecoach line

Resistance Ignites

Flood's men move against Molly's business, leading to Dolan's violent fight with Yarbrough. Jace joins the resistance as the group begins attacking Flood's property.

Key Events

• Stage Line Seized — Flood's men try to take over Molly's stagecoach line. Characters: Dolan, Molly Lang, Yarbrough Location: Stagecoach line
• Dolan Fights Yarbrough — Dolan violently fights Yarbrough while defending Molly's line. Characters: Dolan, Yarbrough, Molly Lang Location: Stagecoach line
• Jace Joins Resistance — Jace, the former deputy, joins the effort against Flood. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace Location: Jericho
• Cattle Theft — Dolan and his allies steal cattle from Flood's operation. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace, Alex Flood Location: Flood's ranch
• Ranch House Explosion — Dolan's resistance strikes Flood's ranch house with an explosion. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace, Alex Flood Location: Flood's ranch house
• Mill Attack — The resistance causes another explosion at Flood's mill. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace, Alex Flood Location: Flood's mill

War Against the Empire

Dolan, Hickman, Molly, and Jace steal Flood's cattle and destroy his ranch house, mill, and gold mine. Their escalating attacks force Flood to return to Jericho seeking revenge.

Key Events

• Mill Attack — The resistance causes another explosion at Flood's mill. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace, Alex Flood Location: Flood's mill
• Gold Mine Sabotage — Dolan and his allies attack Flood's gold mine. Characters: Dolan, Ben Hickman, Molly Lang, Jace, Alex Flood Location: Flood's gold mine
• Flood Returns — Flood returns to Jericho seeking revenge against the resistance. Characters: Alex Flood, Dolan, Molly Lang, Jace Location: Jericho
• Hickman Is Killed — Flood shoots Hickman in the back, killing him. Characters: Alex Flood, Ben Hickman, Dolan Location: Jericho

The Hillside Reckoning

Flood kills Hickman, driving Dolan into a final pursuit through the hills. Although Flood wounds Dolan, Dolan kills him with a thrown knife.

Key Events

• Hickman Is Killed — Flood shoots Hickman in the back, killing him. Characters: Alex Flood, Ben Hickman, Dolan Location: Jericho
• Dolan Pursues Flood — Dolan sets out after Flood for a final confrontation. Characters: Dolan, Alex Flood Location: Hills outside Jericho
• Gunfight in the Hills — Flood shoots Dolan in the arm during the final showdown. Characters: Dolan, Alex Flood Location: Hills outside Jericho
• Flood Is Killed — Dolan throws his knife and kills Flood. Characters: Dolan, Alex Flood Location: Hills outside Jericho

Story Breakdown

• Stagecoach Ambush — Flood's attack brings Dolan and the wounded Hickman into the conflict in Jericho.
  • Roadside Attack — Flood shoots Hickman from a safe distance during the stagecoach ambush.
  • Jericho Arrival — Dolan transports Hickman into the town controlled by Flood.
• Broken Lawmen — Hickman and Dolan's former law-enforcement connection frames their partnership against Flood.
  • Former Deputy — Dolan once served as Hickman's deputy.
  • Stage Line Partners — Dolan and Hickman operate the stage line with Molly.
• Molly's Defiance — Molly's past with Flood and her control of the stagecoach line make her central to the resistance.
  • Past Romance — Molly was once Flood's lover but now hates him.
  • Business Under Siege — Flood's men attempt to take over Molly's stagecoach line.
• Flood's Tyranny — Flood maintains power through public violence, intimidation, and organized enforcers.
  • Lynch Mob — Flood forms a mob against a man who challenged his gang.
  • Dynamite Rule — Flood destroys the home of a townsman organizing against him.
• Resistance Campaign — Dolan gathers support and attacks the economic foundations of Flood's empire.
  • Jace Joins — The town's former deputy assists Dolan, Hickman, and Molly.
  • Property Sabotage — The resistance strikes Flood's cattle, ranch house, mill, and gold mine.
• Final Reckoning — Flood's revenge kills Hickman and drives Dolan toward the final confrontation.
  • Hickman's Death — Flood shoots Hickman in the back after returning to Jericho.
  • Knife in the Hills — Dolan survives a gunshot wound and kills Flood with a thrown knife.

Directed by

Arnold Laven

Key Cast

• Dean Martin — Alex Flood
• George Peppard — Dolan
• Jean Simmons — Molly Lang
• John McIntire — Ben Hickman
• Slim Pickens — Yarbrough