Abbey Lincoln and Ivan Dixon star in Michael Roemer's lyrical film about a young black couple struggling to live and love with dignity.

Alabama, circa 1960. Duff's a brawny, handsome man who's been working as a railroad lineman for longer than he'd like to remember. When he meets Josie, a comely, serene school teacher, love blossoms. Their courting leads to marriage after Duff takes a stable factory job. But with his independent spirit, he has difficulty adjusting to family life, forceful in-laws and unfair factory management. Will the mounting pressure, eating away at Duff's self-esteem, tear him and Josie apart?