1945年夏天，沙普斯夫人伊莱娜带着年幼的儿子伊万从巴黎来到法瑞边境小城里贝拉克，准备将儿子伊万寄养在公公莱昂·沙普斯的家里，以便自己去波尔多参加法国秘密抵抗组织。因为唯一的儿子在战争中牺牲的缘故，公公莱昂·沙普斯对远道而来的儿媳妇伊莱娜心存成见。莱昂·沙普斯有自己的诊所，同时还是德军齐格勒司令官的专职医生。伊万参加秘密抵抗组织，却不知道爷爷莱昂医生就是这个组织的领导。

1936, Italian army is invading Ethiopia. Lieutenant Silvestri suffering toothache decides to reach the nearest camp hospital. But the lorry has an accident and stop near a rock, so Silvestri continues by walk. On his way he meets and rapes a wonderful young Ethiopian. He also wound her when he shot to a wild animal, and later kills her to avoid further pain. When he finally reaches the hospital, he realizes he gets probably leprosy. Trying to escape from Ethiopia Silvestri will kill again. But surprises aren't still over.

In 1830s France, a virtuous widow falls for a self-destructive debauchee obsessed with death. Initial resistance gives way to a desperate and cynical romance.