Famous poet Elizabeth Barrett (Jennifer Jones) recovers from a crippling illness while suffering under the tyrannical watch of her widowed father, Edward (John Gielgud). However, she has a joyful life with her siblings, especially her favorite sister, Henrietta (Virginia McKenna). When Barrett first lays eyes on dashing fellow poet Robert Browning (Bill Travers), their romance is born. However, her repressive and violent father has no intention of allowing Browning to court his daughter.