Dennis Price plays Louis, a young man snubbed by his aristocratic family as a result of his mother's marriage. When she's killed, Louis becomes determined to inherit the family title, and won't let anything or anyone stop him. With an unforgettable performance by Alec Guinness as all eight remaining members of the Ascoyne d'Ascoyne family, and an impressive performance by Joan Greenwood as the devious Sibella.