Posse is a western with unlikely heroes: a group of African-American soldiers from the Spanish-American war. In the film, Mario Van Peebles both directs and stars as Jesse Lee, the group's leader. In their last act as soldiers, they complete a mission to steal gold for their commanding officer, Colonel Graham (Billy Zane). The group is successful, yet discover on their return that Graham has cheated them. They run away, only to have him follow. The group go through New Orleans, across the West, and eventually to Jesse's hometown of Freemanville, a city started after the civil war by a group of former slaves. Once there, Lee attempts to avenge the death of his father (Robert Hooks), a preacher who was lynched by members of the Ku Klux Klan several years before. This brings him into conflict with the town's sheriff, Bates (Richard Jordan) just as Colonel Graham catches up to Lee as well.moreless