During the second world war, two British officers, Brand and Leith, who have never seen combat, are assigned a vital mission. Their relationship and the operation are complicated by the arrival of Brand's wife, who had a tryst with Leith years earlier.

Richard Burtonas Capt. Leith
Curd Jürgensas Major David Brand
Ruth Romanas Jane Brand
Christopher Leeas Sgt. Barney
Raymond Pellegrinas Mekrane
Anthony Bushellas General Paterson
Alfred Burkeas Lt. Colonel Callander
Ronan O'Caseyas Sergeant Dunnigan