John Wickliff Shawnessy, an abolitionist, drifts away from his high school sweetheart, Nell Gaither, and becomes passionately involved with Susanna Drake, a wealthy belle from New Orleans. Tricked into marrying Susanna after she falsely claims pregnancy, John remains with her out of love even after learning the truth. However, Susanna harbors a dark secret that soon drives her into madness. As the Civil War erupts, Susanna flees to the South with their son, leading John to enlist in the Northern Army in order to pursue her. Cast: - Montgomery Clift as John Wickliff Shawnessy - Elizabeth Taylor as Susanna Drake - Eva Marie Saint as Nell Gaither - Nigel Patrick as Prof. Jerusalem Webster Stiles - Lee Marvin as Orville 'Flash' Perkins - Rod Taylor as Garwood B. Jones - Agnes Moorehead as Ellen Shawnessy - Walter Abel as T.D. Shawnessy - Jarma Lewis as Barbara Drake - Tom Drake as Bobby Drake - Rhys Williams as Ezra Gray - Russell Collins as Niles Foster - DeForest Kelley as Southern officer Runtime: 160 minutes.