John Talbot is talking on radio to a girl and another man who are flying a plane. He hears them being machine gunned to death by another plane. Some time later, Talbot appears in a small town in Louisiana, where he starts a fight with some local police. He is arrested and faces trial, where it is revealed he is wanted for killing a policeman and robbing a bank. Talbot escapes from the courtroom, shooting another policeman and kidnapping a woman, Sarah Ruthven. A car chase ensues. Talbot and Sarah meet up with a mysterious man, Jablonsky, who reveals that Sara is the daughter of an oil millionaire. Jablonsky turns Talbot and Sarah over to Sarah's father. There is a man working for him, Vyland, who hires Talbot for an unspecified task. Jablonsky is retained to guard Talbot. It is then revealed that Jablonsky and Talbot know each other and have arranged his whole scenario for an unspecified reason. Late at night, Talbot sneaks out of the house and travels to an oil platform to search for something. When he returns he sees Vyland's henchmen burying something - it is Jablonsky's body..... Directed by Michael Tuchner Produced by Jay Kanter Alan Ladd, Jr. Screenplay by Robert Carrington Based on Fear Is the Key by Alistair MacLean Starring Directed by Michael Tuchner Produced by Jay Kanter Alan Ladd, Jr. Screenplay by Robert Carrington Based on Fear Is the Key by Alistair MacLean Starring Barry Newman Music by Roy Budd Cinematography Alex Thomson Edited by Ray Lovejoy Music by Roy Budd Cinematography Alex Thomson Edited by Ray Lovejoy