Set in the early 1830's, Irishman Charles Adare travels to Australia to start a new life. When he arrives, he meets the powerful landowner Sam Flusky (Joseph Cotten) who has a business proposition for him.

One evening at Flusky's house, Adare meets Flusky's wife, Henrietta, (Ingrid Bergman) whom he knew as a child back in Ireland.

He discovers that Henrietta is no longer the innocent girl he remembers but an alcoholic on the verge of madness.

Only reason Hitch took on this project was because Bergman was interested.

A critical and financial flop, Hitch spent $2.5 million on the picture.

Bergman complained to her director about the stress caused by the film's long takes but Hitch ignored her by walking off the set.