Count Three and Pray (film)

Count Three and Pray is a 1955 American Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Van Heflin, Joanne Woodward, and Raymond Massey. Set in post-Civil War Georgia, the film tells the story of a former Confederate soldier, Luke Fargo (Heflin), who becomes a parson. He returns to his hometown, a community devastated by war and moral decay, with the mission of rebuilding it.

Fargo faces considerable resistance from the townspeople, particularly from a powerful and embittered landowner, Albert Loomis (Massey), who resents the parson's presence and his efforts to bring about positive change. Complicating matters further is the arrival of Lissy (Woodward), a young and attractive woman from the North whom Fargo brings to the town to teach its children. Her presence stirs up jealousy and suspicion, as well as challenging the traditional Southern values of the community.

The film explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, and the challenges of rebuilding a society torn apart by war. It examines the complexities of faith, prejudice, and the struggle to overcome past grievances. The narrative follows Fargo's attempts to instill hope and moral values in the townspeople, facing opposition and personal struggles along the way. Lissy's role in the community's transformation is also a significant element of the story. Ultimately, Count Three and Pray portrays a community grappling with the aftermath of conflict and the arduous path towards healing and unity.