The story was written by Sam Peckinpah. It guest stars a young Dennis Hopper.
This pilot episode was originally shown for the anthology series Zane Grey Theatre.
The Rifleman is Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) an civil war soldier, a widower who has a young son Mark.
Lucas is an ace shot with his specially adapted rifle. He never uses a handgun.
He and his son has arrived at the town of North Fork, New Mexico where a ranch is for sale. The town is run by dastardly Jim Lewis.
To get money for the ranch together Lucas enters a shootout where people are making bets. Some know Lucas is good. Young Vernon Tippert (Hopper) is also a hotshot.
Lewis wants a sure thing that means putting Lucas under pressure. The best way to do that is threatening his son.
Watching the show for the first time. It is very much formulaic. Lucas has to take on Lewis and his minions. It is a question whether Tippert is with Lucas or against him.
Given that Tippert's uncle is killed, that question is easy to answer. The fresh faced Tippert also has a meaningful bond with Mark.
This pilot episode was originally shown for the anthology series Zane Grey Theatre.
The Rifleman is Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) an civil war soldier, a widower who has a young son Mark.
Lucas is an ace shot with his specially adapted rifle. He never uses a handgun.
He and his son has arrived at the town of North Fork, New Mexico where a ranch is for sale. The town is run by dastardly Jim Lewis.
To get money for the ranch together Lucas enters a shootout where people are making bets. Some know Lucas is good. Young Vernon Tippert (Hopper) is also a hotshot.
Lewis wants a sure thing that means putting Lucas under pressure. The best way to do that is threatening his son.
Watching the show for the first time. It is very much formulaic. Lucas has to take on Lewis and his minions. It is a question whether Tippert is with Lucas or against him.
Given that Tippert's uncle is killed, that question is easy to answer. The fresh faced Tippert also has a meaningful bond with Mark.