A cynical, mercenary cattle drover sets out to deliver a herd to soldiers at a Union base during the American Civil War. During the journey, he is kidnapped by a Confederate colonel, who hopes to persuade him to help steal the animals and take them deep into rebel territory. Western, starring William Holden, Richard Widmark and Janice Rule.

In 1864, during the American Civil War, Mexican cattleman Alvarez Kelly supplies the Union with cattle until unexpected circumstances force him to change his customers.