Two young men are seriously affected by the Vietnam war. One of them has always been obsessed with birds – but now believes he really is a bird, and has been sent to a mental hospital. Can his friend help him pull through?

Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his supposed crime was committed but it involves an innocent party. When she tells Carter the truth and the newspaper runs it, tragedy follows, forcing Carter to face up to the responsibilities of her job when she is confronted by Gallagher.