在这个世界上,总有一些人因为他们的特立独行而被人铭记。杨(马克斯·冯·西多 Max von Sydow 饰)和伊娃(丽芙·乌曼 Liv Ullmann 饰)是一对个性独特的音乐家夫妻,战争的到来摧毁了他们赖以生存的家园,为了躲避战乱,两人乘船来到了一座小岛之上,在那里,夫妻两过上了日出而作日落而息的田园生活。 好景不长,战火很快就蔓延到了小岛上,军队和紧接而来的游击队打得不可开交,杨和伊娃好不容易得来的平静生活再度面临巨大危机,好在有好友雅克比(甘纳尔·布耶恩施特兰德 Gunnar Björnstrand 饰)慷慨地出手相救,他们才得以脱离险境。然而,令杨无法接受的是,雅克比在身为恩人的同时竟也是他的情敌,他和伊娃之间并不纯洁的关系令杨心中妒火中烧。During civil war, two musicians retreat to a rural island to farm. They are apolitical; a neighbor sometimes gives them a fish; wine is a luxury. They love each other, but there are problems: the war upsets Jan, he is weepy, too sensitive; Eva wants children, he does not. The war suddenly arrives: rebels attack, neighbors die. When the other side restores order, Jan and Eva are arrested as collaborators. After frightening and roughing them up, the local colonel releases them; then he begins appearing at their farmhouse: to talk or to pursue Eva? He gives her money. The rebels return; chaos ensues. Jan becomes violent and murderous; they flee. Can they escape? If so, to what?