A family, exhausted from trying to cultivate cotton, makes the decision to relocate with their two young children, hoping to establish a new life elsewhere. The husband, "Sam" (Zachary Scott), and his wife, "Nona" (Betty Field), settle on a farm characterized by rocky terrain and an aging house. They resolve to see if they can successfully grow cotton in this less-than-ideal location. However, their efforts are complicated by an unfriendly neighbor (J. Carrol Naish) and the challenging landscape, ensuring that their journey will be difficult. The situation worsens when their young son "Jot" (Jay Gilpin) begins to experience malnutrition, prompting a doctor’s recommendation for what is considered a significant indulgence: a cow and some vegetables. Their labor is entirely manual; they lack modern machinery like tractors or seeding equipment. Combined with illness and a severe storm, the family faces considerable obstacles. The film explores whether they can triumph over these difficulties as they attempt to integrate into their new community, receiving both assistance and opposition from those around them. Beulah Bondi’s portrayal of "Granny" stands out; she commands attention with her grumpy demeanor while the family contends with rocks and a dilapidated roof. Scott and Field have good chemistry together, portraying how demanding their chosen lifestyle is on the family's stability. It’s perhaps his acquaintance “Tim” (Charles Kemper) who best articulates what they’ve undertaken: relentless work year after year, culminating in death. The film moves swiftly and effectively illustrates the hardships faced by cotton farmers, possessing a genuine quality that makes it worthwhile to view.

Source on TMDB