Two friends navigate friendship, romance, and the Vietnam draft crisis during a transformative summer.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Easter Homecoming & Departure
Ralph and Scott return home for Easter, witnessing family dynamics and Alden's departure for Vietnam. The boys' greetings create amusement and embarrassment, setting a nostalgic yet tense tone as the war looms.
Key Events
Easter Morning Arrival — Boys return home and shout greetings across the glen during Easter service. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Lakeside Glen
Alden's Deployment — Scott and Alden fight over his fear of Vietnam as he ships off. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Alden Palmer Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Bus Depot
Father's Intervention — Cliff arrives to check on the boys after their argument. Characters: Cliff Denny, Scott Clifton Denny, Alden Palmer DennyLocation: Bus Depot
Easter Sunrise Service — The community gathers for the traditional Easter morning religious service. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Lakeside
Counterculture Drift & Draft Crisis
After Ralph flunks out, the duo embraces summer freedom on the road. The looming draft forces them to plan a risky heist at the draft board, escalating tension and leading to Ralph's arrest.
Key Events
High School Graduation — Boys return for Beth's graduation and learn Ralph flunked out of college. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: High School
Summer Road Trip — The duo embraces counterculture freedom living out of their van. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Highway
Summer Festival Return — The boys return to their hometown during a summer festival. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Hometown
MIA Report — They learn Alden has disappeared and is considered missing in action. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Hometown
Van Living — The friends experience the freedom of the counterculture lifestyle. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Road
Border Crossroads & Personal Betrayal
Scott and Beth's romance deepens as they flee to Canada, but a jail visit shatters their friendship with Ralph. Conflicting views on the war and personal loyalty fracture the group.
Key Events
Draft Board Heist — They attempt to steal draft files but are caught and Ralph is arrested. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Draft Board Office
Jail Visit Revelation — Ralph reveals he wants to go to Vietnam and disowns Scott over Beth. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: Jail
Van Intimacy — Scott and Beth admit attraction and share a romantic moment. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: Van
Canada Border Hesitation — The couple reaches the border but changes their heart and returns. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: US-Canada Border
Alden's Death News — The family learns Alden died in the line of duty in Vietnam. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Home
Draft Avoidance Plan — Scott resolves to avoid Ralph's fate by fleeing to Canada. Characters: Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Home
Ralph's War Motivation — Ralph sarcastically but sincerely states his desire to serve in Vietnam. Characters: Ralph CarrLocation: Jail
Border Decision — The couple pauses at the border before deciding to return home. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: Border
Grief, Reunion & National Protest
Alden's death brings the group together, culminating in a massive march that mirrors the era's anti-war movement. The film closes with a unifying reflection on collective resistance.
Key Events
Alden's Death News — The family learns Alden died in the line of duty in Vietnam. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Home
Funeral & March — Scott leads a massive march during the funeral as Ralph is released. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Ralph Carr, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Downtown
D.C. Protest Narration — Scott narrates that the group joins hundreds of thousands protesting the war. Characters: Scott Clifton DennyLocation: Washington D.C.
Funeral Procession — A massive crowd marches downtown as Ralph is freed from jail. Characters: Scott Clifton Denny, Ralph Carr, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Downtown
War Protest March — The group joins the broader anti-war movement in the nation's capital. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth Carr, Ev Carr, Jessie Denny, Cliff DennyLocation: Washington D.C.
Reunion at Funeral — The fractured trio reunites amidst the grief and public demonstration. Characters: Ralph Carr, Scott Clifton Denny, Beth CarrLocation: Downtown
Story Breakdown
Family Dynamics — Establishes the domestic backdrop and generational attitudes toward the war.
Easter Morning Greetings — Boys return home and interact with parents.
Alden's Deployment — Scott's brother ships off to Vietnam.
Parental Reactions — Mothers and father react to the boys' behavior.
College & Draft Pressure — Academic failure and military conscription force life-altering decisions.
Ralph's Academic Failure — Ralph flunks out, becoming draft-eligible.
Heist Planning — Boots attempt to steal draft files.
Romantic Entanglement — Scott and Beth's relationship develops amid escape plans.
Scott and Beth's Bond — Attraction grows during shared travels.
Van Intimacy — Couple shares a romantic moment.
Canada Escape Plan — Scott invites Beth to flee the draft.
Jail & Betrayal — Incarceration and ideological differences fracture friendships.
Ralph's War Stance — Ralph reveals his desire to serve.
Friendship Fracture — Ralph disowns Scott over Beth.
Beth's Dilemma — Beth faces loyalty conflicts.
War & Grief — The reality of combat claims a life, shifting personal stakes.
Alden's MIA Status — News of disappearance spreads.
Death Notification — Family learns Alden died in action.
Funeral Procession — Community gathers to mourn.
National Protest — Personal grief transforms into collective political action.
D.C. March — Group joins massive anti-war demonstration.
Anti-War Movement — Story reflects broader historical resistance.
Narration Epilogue — Scott reflects on the movement's impact.
Two rebellious youths, Ralph and Scott, find themselves struggling with adulthood as the Vietnam War rages. Feeling trapped in their small town, Scott battles with his conservative veteran father, Cliff, and Ralph deals with his desperately sexual mother, Ev. When tragic news arrives from overseas, the entire town, inspired by Ralph and Scott's antiwar efforts, reevaluates its attitude toward the war.
