The family of 'Big Daddy' Pollitt (Burl Ives) convenes at his and Big Mommas (Dame Judith Anderson) home. Among the attendees is alcoholic son Brick (Paul Newman), an ex-football player who spends his time drinking and avoiding the ministrations of his libidinous wife, Maggie 'the Cat' (Dame Elizabeth Taylor). As this gathering isn't so much as a get-together but a farewell (Big Daddy is terminally ill), a lot of memories & revelations come to the surface for both father and son.