Jamaica, 1806. Justin Brent arrives from England to take over his uncle's sugar plantation. Young and idealistic, he is shocked by the attitudes of his fellow 'buckras' to the slaves who work for them, yet he is captivated by the exotic, sensual beauty of this Carribean island and its people. When a young mulatto, Lazarus, is sent to work for him, Justin is reassured by the man's intelligence and charm, and believes that they can work together, for the good of the Brent estate. Lazarus, however, has other plans, born of a deep-seated hatred of the white masters, and a burning desire to avenge his dead father...