In 1890s Texas, dairy farmer Royal Thompson (Fred Ward) was reticent when taciturn stranger Olaf Helton (Stellan Skarsgard) walked up and asked for work...but he’d feel differently in the years to come as his hire’s diligence helped the spread prosper. The day came when a stranger (Pat Hingle) from Olaf’s past showed up--and Thompson’s response would have dire consequences. "American Playhouse" take on the Katherine Ann Porter novella co-stars Jon Cryer, Roberts Blossom, Lise Hilboldt. 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; audio commentary.
