Unrepentant Tennessee moonshine runner Luke Doolin (Robert Mitchum) makes dangerous high-speed deliveries for his liquor-producing father, Vernon (Trevor Bardette),but won't let his younger brother Robin (James Mitchum) join the family business. Under pressure from both out-of-town gangster Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon),who wants a piece of the local action, and Treasury agent Barrett (Gene Barry),who wants to destroy the moonshine business, Luke fights for his fast-fading way of life.