Hombre

I jsut saw a 1966 movie staring Paul Newman, called "Hombre."  It is a Western, and a morality play, a Christ story.  A bunch of people are on a stagecoach, all pretty much concerned about themselves.  Turns out a Government Indain Agent has swindled the Reservation Indians out of food and supplies, and pocketed $12,000.  His wife does not think much of Indians.  When she finds out that Paul Newman has Indian in him, she wants him out of the coach and riding up with the driver.  Newman thinks little of white people, though he is one as well.  He sides with the Indians.  

OK. Now they get held up and the bandits get the $12,000.  Newman gets it back.  Everyone thinks he wants it for himself, but he wants it for the Indians.  Now the bandits, led by the evil Richard Boone, pin them down and have the agent's wife captive.  They tie her up out in the hot sun.  They will give her up for the money.  Newman says no.  He seems to have no empathy for her.  He knows that the bandits will not let anyone out alive one way or the other.  

Though his fellow stagecoach riders develop some concern for the plight of the woman, no one will do anything.  Then Newman acts.  He saves her life and loses his own.  He gave his life for a person who did not respect him or Indians.  For someone who is suffering, even if they are wretched persons, empathy and concern will not help them.  Nothing changes until someone acts.  The price can be quite high.