In northern England around 1900, the worker John O'Brien lives near poverty in a small house in the worker's district. He falls in love with Mary, the teacher of his highly intelligent younger sister Kathy and daughter of a rich family. Their love is doomed by the social difference, but the vigorous Mary refuses to allow outer circumstances destroying their love.

Owen Teale
as John O'Brien

Sean Bean
as Dominic O'Brien

Clare Holman
as Mary Llewellyn

Billie Whitelaw
as Beatrice Llewellyn

Ian Bannen
as Peter Bracken

Jane Horrocks
as Christine Bracken

Mark Mulholland
as Fr. O'Malley

Anny Tobin
as Mary Ellen O'Brien

Leslie Schofield
as Shane O'Brien

Faye Dannell
as Katie O'Brien