In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.
Two men on weekend outing assist country lass in trouble but find themselves in a stew. One is killed, one severely injured who recovers at the Campbell cabin. He learns the simplicity of country living and falls in love with daughter. She explains, mysteriously, that although she cares, this cannot be; the feud is coming', as it always does. Only after his own death, during the feud, does he realize that the Campbell and McDonald clans have been 50 years dead! He has, however, broken the cycle of the ongoing feud and now all, him included, may rest in peace.