Kidd tricks King William III (Henry Daniel) into appointing him the protector of a ship loaded with valuable treasure. He intends to steal the cargo for himself, which he does with the aid of his devious lieutenants (portrayed by Gilbert Roland and John Carradine). Adam Merry (Randolph Scott) and kidnapped noblewoman Lady Ann Falconer (Barbara Britton) help bring Kidd to justice at the end of a rope.
Werner Janssen's music for this seafaring adventure received a 1945 Academy Award nomination for "Best Musical Score."