Just before his arrest and hanging, a bank robber leaves $10,000 he stole in the possession of his children, making them promise never to tell where it is. In prison he shares a cell with self-appointed preacher and serial killer Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum), in jail for car theft. When the Powell is released, he charms his way into the bank robber’s family, marrying his widow (Shelley Winters) in an attempt to find the cash.
