Sisters Marguerite (Donna Reed) and Marianne (Lana Turner) both love British navy deserter William Ozanne (Richard Hart) in this high-adventure blockbuster that won an Oscar for its spectacular special effects -- an earthquake, a tidal wave and a bloody native uprising. Marianne moves to New Zealand and marries William, but soon finds his weak character disappointing. Back home, a good family friend (Van Heflin) pines for Marianne.