Two families linked by the same father explode into a violent rivalry in this Southern gothic drama. During his life Cleaman Hayes had seven sons by two different women. After he abandons his first family leaving the children to be brought up in dire poverty he marries again. How- ever, on this occasion he gives his new family love and attention. When Cleaman dies, all seven sons attend the funeral, leading to anger and rivalry that doesn t end once the body has be put in the ground, and soon a war breaks out between the clans, with profound and far reaching consequences.