Hitch sees a woman, Allison "Allie" French, a young widow, who just came to the town and immediately takes an interest in her.

Cole and Hitch are joined by Sheriff Clyde Stringer and a deputy before transporting Bragg via train to the prison where he is to be hanged.

When the engine makes a water stop over a bridge, hired guns Ring and Mackie Shelton, old acquaintances of Cole's, appear with Allie as a hostage.

After some time, Bragg is granted a full pardon by President Chester Arthur (whom he previously claimed to have known) and returns to Appaloosa in an attempt to publicly reform himself.

[3] The budget for Appaloosa was $20 million[4] and filming took place from October 1, 2007, to November 24, 2007, around Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Austin, Texas.

[5] Harris was drawn to Robert B. Parker's bestselling novel because it was constructed like a classic Western, but included crime themes still relevant to contemporary society.

"[7] Production of Appaloosa slowed when New Line Cinema and producers became concerned with the box-office prospects of a Western during a season with such anticipated blockbusters as The Dark Knight.

While publicizing A History of Violence at the Toronto International Film Festival, Harris handed Mortensen a copy of the novel and asked him to read it and consider playing the part.

"[7] Mortensen studied Frederic Remington drawings and other images of the American Old West to get into character and master the proper way to stand during a gunfight.

The consensus reads, "A traditional-genre Western, Appaloosa sets itself apart with smart psychology, an intriguing love triangle, and good chemistry between the leads.

"[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

Brad Frenette of the National Post said, "the film feels double its 114-minute running time, but Appaloosa redeems itself through unexpected moments of levity, Harris's steady direction, and the God amongst men, Lance Henriksen.

[13] Popjournalism reviewer Sarah Gopaul said Harris and Mortensen spend too much time talking and discussing their feelings, which she said made the film too light for the gritty Western genre.

Gopaul said Harris and Mortensen delivered decent performances and that Renee Zellweger's character has more depth than the traditional romantic interest in a Western.