The Big Country

James McKay, the son of a shipowner from Baltimore, comes to San Rafael to marry Pat Terrill, the rancher's daughter. Her father, Major Terrill, who owns 10,000 head of cattle, takes a liking to his future son-in-law; his manager, Steve Leech, however, sees McKay as an unwelcome rival, for Leech is also in love with Pat. During McKay's first outing with Pat, Buck Hannassey plays a nasty prank on the Major's guest. Terrill wants to teach the Hannasseys a lesson in response; McKay, however, is against it, because he does not consider violence a suitable means of solving problems. However, there has long been a bitter feud between the Major and old Rufus Hannassey. Both are eager to get their hands on a piece of land called Big Muddy, which is extremely valuable because of its water supply. It belongs to Julie Maragon, the schoolteacher from San Rafael. When she meets McKay, they immediately take a liking to each other. Julie agrees to sell Big Muddy to McKay, especially since he promises to allow the Hannasseys' cattle access to the watering hole as well. In doing so, he sets a dramatic chain of events in motion.