During the Civil War, Capt. Roper (William Holden) rules prison camp Fort Bravo with an iron fist. When beautiful Carla Forester (Eleanor Parker) visits the fort, she distracts the ruthless captain, and a band of prisoners manages to escape. As Roper and his lieutenant (Richard Anderson) try to round up the fugitives, they journey into the heart of hostile territory. John Forsythe co-stars in John Sturges's classic Western.