After the Civil War Colt Saunders (Charlton Heston) finds he and his wife Lorna Hunter Saunders (Anne Baxter) must deal with parasitic carpetbaggers, led by Commissioner Harrison (Bruce Bennett) and his hired gunman Cable (Forrest Tucker) who are taking charge in Texas. Colt’s younger brother Beauregard (Tom Tryon) has lost an arm in the war, and also most of his humanity. One look at Colt’s wife, he sees the truth and disrespects his brother. Later Colt learns his wife may have a shady history as a saloon hall girl. Lorna’s fellow working girl named Ruby LaSalle (Elaine Stritch) warns her of the consequences of marrying. Rival faction of Innocencio Ortega (Gilbert Roland) and his son Rafael (Robert Blake) may end up on Colt’s side.