It's no spoiler to let you know this is a tragic short story. You're signalled from the very beginning, first by the pacing and look of the scenes, and then by the very dialogue from the pivotal character. And I believe that this was intended by the original author, Stephen Crane, that you have a good idea of how the story will end, and the value is in watching and realizing why things happen this way.
This film from the American Short Story series is based on a classic Stephen Crane short story. A Swedish taylor along with a cowboy and a journalist stop over at a hotel in Nebraska during a blizzard. To pass the time, the hotel keeper's son challenges the group to a game of cards. It becomes evident during the game that the taylor is a very fearful person, convinced that the west is like that portrayed in dime novels, populated only by violent men. The combination of his fear and the reactions of the others leads to tragedy, and it's for the viewer to analyze and decide why this all occurs, whether it is the fault of the taylor or of the others.
David Warner as the Swede shines in his role, but each actor carries his role brilliantly. The pacing of the drama is slow and somber. And sound is used very effectively. The clinking of the music box, the sound of the cards being dealt during the game.