Gene and Finny are two boys who are best friends living in 1943, at the height of World War II. The idea that the boys will most likely be drafted when they turn eighteen is surrounding them, and they are practically forced to live their lives to the fullest. The two boys attend the Devon School, which prepares them for military life that they will most likely be subjected to. The film begins with a narration by an older Gene, traveling back to Devon some years later. The thing he wishes most to see is the tree, which had a great effect on the boys' lives
John Heyl
as Finny
Parker Stevenson
as Gene Forrester
William Roerick
as Mr. Patchwithers
Peter Brush
as Elwin “Leper” Lepellier
Victor Bevine
as Brinker Hadley
John E.A. Mackenzie
as Bobby Zane
Mark Trefethen
as John
Frank Wilich Jr.
as Cliff Quackenbush
Elizabeth B. Brewster
as Mrs. Patchwithers
Edward Echols
as Mr. Ludsbury
Don Schultz
as Dr. Stanpole
Paul Sadler
as Naval Officer
