Judge Priest, portrayed by Charles Winninger, faces a difficult re-election campaign in Kentucky. The town is split by echoes of the Civil War; while relations between white residents are generally amicable, the Black population remains marginalized. His prospects worsen when he steps in to prevent a potential lynching of a young man accused of harming a white woman—an accusation based solely on the commotion from hunting dogs, and which the judge feels demands adherence to legal procedures. The judge's convictions lead to more difficulties as a tragic event shakes the community, prompting him to take another unpopular position. Throughout the story, glimpses are offered into the town’s past during the war, all conveyed with a pleasantness that Winninger embodies effectively. The film highlights the importance of shared values and their enforcement within a community—shame and regret are employed to underscore this point, though everything is handled in an easygoing manner. The central question becomes whether he can secure enough votes to prevail.

Source on TMDB