Second World War PoW Jean Paget is sent on a gruelling forced march between Japanese labour camps, but finds comfort in her friendship with Australian captive Joe Harman. During the journey Joe is caught stealing, tied to a cross and left to die. After the conflict is over, Jean is startled to receive a letter postmarked in Joe's home town of Alice Springs. Jack Lee's drama, based on the novel by Nevil Shute, starring Virginia McKenna, Peter Finch, Takagi and Jean Anderson