本片基于寇地兹堡集中营幸存者Major Pat Reid的回忆改编，讲述了那些试图从寇地兹堡集中营逃跑的人们的故事，以及德国人和囚犯之间的关系。本片超越当时的时代认识，没有刻意丑化德国，而是将德国指挥官塑造成了一个富有善心的绅士。
In the early 1900's in England, young Christina is orphaned and goes to live with her Uncle Russell, who owns the country estate of Flambards, and has two sons. Mark, the elder, is a wastrel, a roue and, like his father, loves to hunt. The younger son William lives to fly aeroplanes. Christina finds herself struggling with the ideas of classism as she falls in love with country...
Two ideologically-disparate terrorists (one from the PLO, one from the IRA) meet up in London to assassinate a visiting Israeli nuclear scientist. An alcoholic ex-government agent (Anthony Perkins) is brought out of retirement to track them down.
