A schoolteacher plagued by alcoholism and his refusal to serve in World War II, Graham Weir inspires contempt in almost everyone around him, including his bitter wife, Anna. When the lovely young Shirley Taylor, one of Weir's students, falls for her unfortunate instructor, he is tempted and flattered but turns down her advances. Taylor's subsequent actions make Weir's life even more complicated.
Laurence Olivier
as Graham Weir
Simone Signoret
as Anna Weir
Sarah Miles
as Shirley Taylor
Terence Stamp
as Mitchell
Hugh Griffith
as O'Hara
Roland Culver
as Trowman
Dudley Foster
as Detective Sergeant Keirnan
Frank Pettingell
as Ferguson
Thora Hird
as Mrs. Taylor
Norman Bird
as Mr. Taylor
Newton Blick
as Prosecutor
Allan Cuthbertson
as Sylvan-Jones
