In the bustling backdrop of the early 1920s, Jordan "Bick" Benedict (Rock Hudson), the prosperous patriarch of the prestigious Benedict ranching family in Texas, ventures to Maryland with the intent to procure a prized stud horse named War Winds. It is here that he encounters the enchanting Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor), an 18-year-old socialite. Their whirlwind romance soon leads to marriage, and they settle into Bick’s family estate, Reata. However, the path ahead is fraught with tension as Bick's older sister Luz (Mercedes McCambridge) holds a bitter disdain for Leslie, viewing her affluent background with scorn. The animosity is palpable, as Leslie finds Luz's personality abrasive.
Complicated emotions deepen when a local ranch hand, Jett Rink (James Dean), harbors an unspoken affection for Leslie, despite her marriage to Bick. During a fateful cattle round-up, tensions escalate when Luz deliberately injures Leslie's cherished horse. Fate takes a tragic turn: Luz meets her end after being thrown off War Winds. In a twist of destiny, Jett is bequeathed a small plot of land on the vast Benedict ranch, which he proudly dubs Little Reata after Bick's futile attempts to reclaim it.
As time flows, Leslie gives birth to twins, Jordan "Jordy" Benedict III and Judy Benedict, along with a younger daughter named Luz II (Carroll Baker). A serendipitous discovery by Jett leads him to strike black gold on his property, igniting a fierce rivalry between him and Bick. Once Jett finds success with his new oil drilling company, JetTexas, the tension escalates further when he brazenly proclaims his intentions to surpass the Benedicts in wealth. Following a crude remark aimed at Leslie, a physical confrontation brews between the two men.
As the 1940s dawn, the family dynamic becomes increasingly strained. Bick's steadfast belief that his son Jordy must keep the ranch legacy alive clashes with Jordy's aspirations of becoming a doctor. Meanwhile, Leslie's visions for Judy's education are equally at odds with her daughter’s desires. When World War II approaches, Jett again seeks to persuade Bick to allow oil drilling for the sake of the war effort. After much contemplation, Bick begrudgingly agrees, acknowledging the absence of a successor to his ranching legacy.
As oil flows abundantly from the ground, the once modest Benedict estate transforms into a symbol of wealth, with even a swimming pool adorning the property. Jordy marries a vibrant Mexican American woman, starting his lineage, while Judy weds her high school sweetheart.
The rivalry reaches its zenith when the Benedicts learn about the budding romance between Luz II and the now-wealthy, yet desolate, Jett Rink. During a lavish gala organized by Jett, tensions explode, leading to an altercation where Jordy is humiliated. Bick, witnessing the fallout, confronts Jett, only to realize that he is left with nothing but his tarnished fortune. He dejectedly tells Jett, > "You're not even worth hitting. You're all through," while symbolically shattering Jett's wine cellar shelves in a move of silent defiance.
The narrative crescendos as the Benedict family, save for Jordy, finds themselves embroiled in a racially charged encounter at a diner. Bick bravely intervenes on behalf of a Mexican family facing discrimination, resulting in a physically taxing aftermath.
The poignant conclusion sees Bick, reflecting on his life choices, watch his grandchildren at play alongside Leslie. In an emotional moment, Leslie admits that witnessing Bick's stand in the diner has earned her respect for him, ultimately deeming the Benedict family a success despite the trials that have beset them.
