When a Mexican Indian, Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando) who lives on a secluded area of Mexico called Morelos visits Mexico city to complain that their land has been enclosed forcing them to live in the Barren Hills, his disagreement with the President (Fay Roope) puts him in danger. To make it worse, he then rescues a prisoner that the local militia has had captive and is forced to become an outlaw on the run from the law. Joining a group that does not support the President, he then becomes the leader of their forces to bring down the president and prevent him from ruining the country even more.