An old woman fights a group of industrialists who are planning to build a dam and flood the valley where she grew up.
This film is a very well done drama about a small town being threatened by big business.
The story line is nice, but what sells this film is "atmosphere". The director immediately sets up a great "status quo" town feeling by introducing us to a young Richard Burton entering the town (village may be a better word).
At first, Burton appears to be the protagonist, but soon he becomes the antagonist, though not as cruel a one as William Shatner when another film used this same approach in "I Hate Your Guts".
Everything is very normal, very credible, very every day.
There is great charm and great atmosphere in this film, the mark of good writing and good directing, not to mention good acting and good work from everyone behind the scenes.