Owen's desire to repay the kindness and generosity of his adopted family breeds rage and envy within their real son, Lee. Lee's jealousy and anger erupts when he fathers an illegitimate child and frames Owen for the shameful deed. Cast out of his home in disgrace, Owen is targeted by a greater menace - the outraged kin of the baby's mother. Pursued across the countryside with his life in danger and his reputation ruined, Owen must single-handedly uncover the truth to restore his name.

Burt Lancaster stars as a ranch foreman who is continually battling his wayward brother, played by Robert Walker, in this melodramatic tale of the western range.