Henry Tawes, a middle-aged sheriff in a rural Tennessee town, is usually the first man to criticize others for their bad behavior. Miserable in his marriage, Henry falls in love with teenage seductress Alma, who is the daughter of local criminal and moonshiner Carl McCain. Henry's moral character comes further into question when he is tempted to conceal Carl's crimes in order to prolong his relationship with Alma.
Gregory Peck
as Sheriff Henry Tawes
Tuesday Weld
as Alma McCain
Estelle Parsons
as Ellen Haney
Ralph Meeker
as Carl McCain
Charles Durning
as Wylie Hunnicutt
Jeff Dalton
as Clay McCain
Freddie McCloud
as Buddy McCain
Jane Rose
as Elsie
J.C. Evans
as Grandpa Tawes
Margaret A. Morris
as Sybil Tawes
Bill Littleton
as Pollard
Leo Yates
as Vogel
