AlecGrahamissentencedtodeathforthemurderofhisgirlfriendJennie,withwhomhespentaweekendattheEnglishcountryhomeoftheparentsofhisfriendBrianStanford.Alec'sfather,DavidGraham,anot-so-successfulwriterandalcoholicwhohasneglectedhissoninthepast,fliesinfromCanadatovisithissonondeathrow.Alecrepudiateshisfather'sattemptsforafinalreconciliation.DavidGraham,convincedofhisson'sinnocenceand,despitehispreoccupationwithhimselfandhisownalcoholism,mountsalast-ditchefforttofindthetruemurdererinthe24hoursremaininguntiltheplannedexecution.GrahamencountersthewealthyandfamouscarmanufacturerRobertStanford,tyrantathomeandintheofficeandanapparentwomanizer,Stanford'syoung,curiouslytroubledwifeHonar,theirill-at-easesonBrian,himselfdisturbedbyhisparents'relationship,andVickyHarker,ayoung,brainlesssecretaryatStanford'sfactorywhohasbeenclimbingupthecareer...