Wade Hunnicutt is a big man who casts a big shadow, one that looms over the Texas backwoodsmen who work his land over the beautiful, embittered wife he cheats on and over the sons -- one from marriage and one illegitimate -- who strive for their fathers respect. Robert Mitchum gives one of his greatest performances (Michael Barson, The Illustrated Whos Who of Hollywood Directors) as Wade, and Vincente Minnelli directs this sprawling, emotionally volatile tale of an epic clash between generations. In early-career roles, George Peppard and George Hamilton costar as Wades sons, determined to be their own men, yet in danger of repeating their fathers life-crippling legacy of lust and violence.