The Power

In 1925 Montana, during a cattle drive, George Burbank meets Rose Gordon, a widow and inn owner. George's kind nature quickly attracts Rose, setting the stage for their romantic connection.

Soon after their meeting, George and Rose's relationship flourishes, leading to a marriage. With his financial support, Rose is able to send her son Peter to college, aspiring for a medical career.

Phil Burbank, George's brother, begins to ridicule Rose's son Peter, targeting his lisp and perceived weaknesses. This animosity sets a tense tone for the family dynamic at the ranch.

In an attempt to unite their families, George hosts a dinner party where Rose is pressured to play the piano. Phil's mockery of the situation results in further humiliation for Rose, enhancing her feelings of inadequacy.

Following the traumatic dinner party, Rose, who previously avoided alcohol, begins to drink heavily. Her struggle with alcoholism deepens, hidden from George, who remains unaware of her plight.

As summer arrives, Peter returns to the ranch, becoming the target of Phil's continued taunts. Feeling unsafe, Peter retreat into isolation, focusing on his studies in dissection and diseases.

In a moment of vulnerability, Peter discovers Phil with a handkerchief belonging to his deceased mentor, Bronco Henry. This discovery prompts unusual interactions, leading Phil to teach Peter horse riding and lasso skills.

While working on a fencing job, Peter encounters a diseased cow carcass. Examining it with a scalpel, he becomes aware of the hidden dangers they face on the ranch, highlighting the precarious situation.

Phil sustains a severe injury during his work that becomes infected. As he battles this health crisis, Rose's alcoholism worsens, complicating their already strained family relations.

In a desperate act of defiance against Phil's abusive behavior, Rose gives unneeded hides to local Indigenous traders. This act of rebellion leads to her intoxication and a subsequent breakdown, highlighting her spiraling mental state.

Finding a shared interest in crafting a lasso from the hides, Peter and Phil bond late into the night. Their collaboration reveals a complex relationship, mixing shared experiences with underlying tension and regret.

The following morning, a distressed George discovers Phil gravely ill due to his infected wound. Rushed to the hospital, Phil's health deteriorates rapidly, leading to a chaotic scene at the ranch.

Following Phil's hospitalization, George learns of his brother's demise caused by anthrax, despite Phil's precautions. The revelation leaves George perplexed and devastated as he prepares for Phil's burial.

In the wake of Phil's death, Peter refrains from attending the funeral. Instead, he reflects quietly, reading a passage from the Book of Common Prayer, hinting at his complex feelings toward the events that unfolded.

In a chilling conclusion, Peter places the completed lasso beneath his bed with gloved hands. Observing George and a sober Rose share a tender moment, Peter's actions suggest a calculated response to protect his mother from Phil’s influence.