WalterWilliams(BrianDonlevy)isatake-chargecaptainofindustrywhohasworkedhiswayupinaSanFranciscosteelcompanyfromapositionasasheetmetalworker.HeloveshiswifeIrene(HelenWalker)verymuchandtheyhaveplannedavacationdrivetogether.Irenecancelsatthelastminuteclaimingatoothache,butasksthatWalterdrivehercousinJimTorrance(TonyBarrett)asfarasIllinois.WalteragreesandheandJimtakeofftogetherbutlaterJimknocksWalterunconsciousandtakesthecaronlytobehithimselfbyatruckandkilled,hisbodyburnedbeyondrecognition.WaltercomestoandsufferingaconcussionanddeepconfusionfromfeelingbetrayedbyIrenehidesoutinasmallMidwesttownuntilguiltandpeerpressureforcehimtogobacktoSanFranciscoandtellhisstorytothePolice.ButbythetimeWalterreturnstoSanFranciscoacleverdetectiveLieutenantQuincy(CharlesCoburn)hasuncoveredsomefactsaboutIreneandhercousin'Jim.ThepolicehavebeenholdingIreneforthemurderofherhusbandWalterbutreleaseherconsideringthatWalterwashidingoutbecausehehadkilledJim.AlongthewaytouncoveringthetruthinCourtWalterrealizessomehardfactaboutwhatheholdsvaluableandthetrusthehasputinthosearoundhim.