Based on the lauded novel by Allen Drury, this political drama depicts the debate sparked when controversial candidate Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) is nominated as U.S. Secretary of State. As concerns are aired during the Senate investigation of Leffingwell's qualifications, Senator Brig Anderson (Don Murray), the head of the committee, soon finds the proceedings descending into heated exchanges, with various politicians trying to further their own agendas.