Shoot the Sun Down (1978) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A desert gold quest becomes a struggle against betrayal, captivity, colonial authority, and the consequences of greed.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Gold Across the Frontier

The travelers cross a desert frontier while the Captain and Scalphunter pursue Montezuma's gold. Rainbow's past as a deserter establishes his moral opposition to violence against Native Americans.

Key Events

• Desert Frontier — Four travelers cross a desert frontier near Santa Fe. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Deserts north of Texas
• The Gold Expedition — The Captain and Scalphunter pursue Montezuma's legendary gold. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter, Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert trail
• Rainbow's Past — Rainbow is revealed as a former Confederate deserter. Characters: Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert camp
• Refusal To Kill — Rainbow deserted after refusing orders to kill Indians. Characters: Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert camp
• The Captive Crossing — The expedition moves with a captured Native American group. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert route

Greed Turns the Group

The expedition enters the Journey of Death with a captured Native American group. Competition over the treasure causes the Captain and Scalphunter to unite against Rainbow.

Key Events

• Journey Of Death — The group crosses the deadly desert passage. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Viaje de la Muerte
• Gold Demands — Scalphunter demands half of the Captain's expected gold. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert camp
• Rivalry Emerges — The shared gold quest turns the men against one another. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter, Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert camp
• Rainbow Bound — The Captain and Scalphunter tie Rainbow to the rocks. Characters: The Captain, Scalphunter, Mr. Rainbow Location: Rocky desert ground
• Abandoned In Heat — Rainbow is left behind to die in the desert heat. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Rocky desert ground

The Abandoned Man

Rainbow is tied to rocks and abandoned in the desert heat. A tribal elder frees him and asks him to rescue the elder's family and people.

Key Events

• The Elder's Intervention — A tribal elder frees Rainbow from his restraints. Characters: Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert camp
• A Rescue Plea — The elder asks Rainbow to save his family and people. Characters: Mr. Rainbow Location: Tribal camp
• Rainbow Rides Back — Rainbow races across the desert toward the captors. Characters: Mr. Rainbow Location: Desert trail
• Rescue Mission — Rainbow attempts to free the woman and captive family. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert encampment

The Golden Wheel

Rainbow races back toward the captors and attempts to free the woman and the captive family. The group then rolls a massive golden wheel across the deadly desert.

Key Events

• Golden Wheel Found — The group begins moving Montezuma's massive golden wheel. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert route
• Treasure Across Sand — The golden wheel is rolled across the dangerous desert. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Deadly desert
• Spanish Soldiers Arrive — Spanish soldiers confront the travelers and demand the treasure. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert crossing

Firearms at the Crossing

Spanish soldiers intercept the travelers and threaten to confiscate the golden wheel. The confrontation becomes a shootout with disastrous results for both sides.

Key Events

• Confiscation Threat — The soldiers threaten to confiscate the golden wheel. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert crossing
• Desert Shootout — A shootout erupts between the travelers and Spanish soldiers. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert crossing
• Disastrous Aftermath — The shootout produces disastrous results for both sides. Characters: Mr. Rainbow, The Captain, Scalphunter Location: Desert crossing

Story Breakdown

• Frontier Expedition — The travelers enter a dangerous desert world in pursuit of legendary treasure.
  • Desert Crossing — The group travels through territory contested by soldiers and Native American tribes.
  • Gold Pursuit — The Captain and Scalphunter seek Montezuma's gold.
• Rainbow's Conscience — Rainbow's military past establishes his refusal to participate in violence against Native Americans.
  • Former Deserter — Rainbow deserted the Confederacy after receiving orders to kill Indians.
  • Moral Opposition — His past separates him from the expedition's exploitation and violence.
• Captive Passage — The expedition transports a captured Native American group through the Journey of Death.
  • Tribal Captivity — Scalphunter travels with a captured Native American group.
  • Deadly Route — The group crosses the harsh Viaje de la Muerte.
• Alliance Of Greed — Competition over the gold temporarily unites the Captain and Scalphunter against Rainbow.
  • Treasure Rivalry — Scalphunter wants half of the Captain's gold.
  • Rainbow Betrayed — The two men tie Rainbow to rocks and abandon him.
• Elder's Appeal — Rainbow's abandonment is reversed when a tribal elder frees him and requests his help.
  • Freedom In Desert — The elder releases Rainbow from his restraints.
  • Rescue Mission — Rainbow agrees to save the elder's family and people.
• Treasure Escape — Rainbow races back while the golden wheel becomes the expedition's central burden.
  • Captive Liberation — Rainbow attempts to free the woman and captive Native American family.
  • Golden Wheel — The travelers roll Montezuma's massive golden wheel across the desert.
• Soldiers' Confrontation — Spanish soldiers challenge the travelers and threaten to seize the treasure.
  • Confiscation Threat — The soldiers demand control of the golden wheel.
  • Final Shootout — Gunfire produces disastrous results for both sides.

Directed by

David Leeds

Key Cast

• Margot Kidder — The Woman from England
• Christopher Walken — Mr. Rainbow
• Bo Brundin — The Captain
• Jorge Cervera Jr. — Lieutenant
• Geoffrey Lewis — Scalphunter