Henry Tawes (Gregory Peck), 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 (Tuesday Weld), who is the daughter of local criminal and moonshiner Carl McCain (Ralph Meeker). 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.