 Hank Stamper (Paul Newman) and his father, Henry Stamper (Henry Fonda) own and operate the family business by cutting and shipping logs in Oregon. The town is furious when they continue working despite the town going broke and the other loggers go on strike ordering the Stampers to stop, however Hank continues to push his family on cutting more trees. Hank s wife (Lee Remick) wishes he would stop and hopes that they can spend more time together. When Hank s half trouble making brother Leland (Michael Sarrazin) comes to work for them, more trouble starts.