A doctor tries to exert control over a woman he saved from a stagecoach ambush while she tries to make her fortune prospecting for gold. He acquires several enemies, including a treacherous miner and a jealous faith healer, who conspire to bring about his downfall. Western, with Gary Cooper, Maria Schell, Karl Malden and George C Scott.

Joseph "Doc" Frail is a doctor with a past he's trying to outrun. While in Montana, he comes across a mining camp with a hanging tree and rescues a man named Rune from the noose. With Rune as his servant, Frail decides to settle down, and he takes over as town doctor. He meets Elizabeth, who is suffering from shock, and the two soon fall in love. But when Elizabeth is attacked, Frail's attempt to help her lands them both in trouble.