Synopsis

Joe and Frank are fired from their laborer jobs for their political opinions. They argue about the merits of non-violence versus armed uprising. They join a Free Speech Fight, are jailed, and beaten by vigilantes upon their release. They are saved by Mexican Revolutionaries and join the Revolution. In the battle for Baja, Joe is wounded. Back home in San Pedro, Joe writes a song that helps win a strike. 

Joe and Frank are given a mission by Bill, the union president. The whole country is ready to strike. Joe and Frank can make a difference. They head north. Joe writes a song on their way to a migrant camp. They meet Jose and his family. When the camp is raided, Joe and Frank head north. They make it to a lumber camp in Canada. Joe works as a cook, and Frank with the lumberjacks, until Frank is injured and they’re fired for talking politics. They head south. Joe writes a song about it on their way to Salt Lake. They stop in Butte. Joe leaves Frank to find food. Frank is captured by hired thugs, Joe escapes. He sees Frank tortured and killed. He runs away to Salt Lake. Joe trades in his guitar for a pistol. He is taken in by Virginia, a wealthy lady, is ambushed, and shot. Dead Frank helps him escape and leads him to a boarding house. Joe is mended by a Doctor. He dreams of Frank’s murder and needs to get away. Lila, the daughter of the boarding house owner, helps him to run. They get as far as some woods. A posse looks for him. Joe is weak and delirious and is visited again by Dead Frank. When Lila returns to Salt Lake, she recognizes Bill Haywood and sends him to Joe. Bill finds Joe ready to die fighting off the posse. Bill disarms Joe and turns him in to save his life.

Doctor patches Joe, again. Joe meets his court-appointed lawyer. Bill visits with writing supplies, a harmonica, and hope. Lila begins a vigil outside the jail. Witnesses change their testimony to make Joe appear guilty. Dead Frank takes Joe to witness a massacre in Ludlow, in his dream. He finds it really happened. Joe writes songs in a fever. Lila offers alibi. Joe demands a new trial and fires his lawyer. He’s convicted. Lawyer files appeal. Dead Frank visits at night. Vigil grows. Lila wants to break him out. His Appeal is denied. The Governor, contacted by President Wilson, offers a deal. The world is on fire. Joe refuses Governor’s offer, requests a firing squad.

Joe writes last will. Joe gives his will to Bill, and tries to explain his position to Lila. He’s executed by firing squad and cremated. There’s a gigantic funeral and procession through Chicago. Joe’s ashes are scattered around the world.