In 1859, idealist John Wickliff Shawnessey, a resident of Raintree County, Indiana, is distracted from his high school sweetheart Nell Gaither by Susanna Drake, a rich New Orleans girl. This love triangle is further complicated by the American Civil War, and dark family history.

Top Cast

Elizabeth TaylorSusanna Drake Shawnessy

Montgomery CliftJohn Wickliff Shawnessy

Eva Marie SaintNell Gaither

Nigel PatrickProf. Jerusalem Webster Stiles

Lee MarvinOrville 'Flash' Perkins

Rod TaylorGarwood B. Jones

Agnes MooreheadEllen Shawnessy

Walter AbelT.D. Shawnessy