Sentenced to prison in Montana, Clay Treyton (Kyle Chandler) winds up living at a convict ranch operated by an enterprising warden (Ben Gazzara). Here, Clay gets a chance to learn about rodeo riding from former champion and fellow inmate Ry Weston (Jon Voight). As the bond between the veteran and fledgling cowboys strengthens, Clay must find a way to withstand the pressure being exerted on him by other drug-dealing cons.