Don Birnam, long-time alcoholic, has been "on the wagon" for ten days and seems to be over the worst; but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother Wick and girlfriend Helen, he begins a four-day bender. In flashbacks, we see past events, all gone wrong because of the bottle, but this bout looks like it's going to be his last...one way or the other. A dark, gritty depiction of the ravages of alcohol and winner of 4 Oscars including Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Film.