Carl Zuckmayer

France, 1917, just behind the frontline. Soldiers are being drilled in an American camp. They’ve set themselves up really well here, close to a French village. The commander of the company, Captain Flagg – a smooth character with a zest for life –uses his privilege, just as he has done in every other theatre of war in the world before. Here, he takes the daughter of the French innkeeper as his lover.
It’s time for Flagg’s holiday leave. His substitute is Sergeant Quirt. The two have been bitter rivals for years. It’s no different here: in Flagg’s absence, Quirt immediately goes after his lover, Charmaine, and wins her over. Upon his return, Flagg takes revenge by ordering that Quirt and Charmaine be married, but Charmaine refuses: she loves them both.
The company sets off for the front on a crazy mission. Here, too, both battles are being waged – despite, or perhaps because of the gruesome events around them. The mission, capturing a German officer, is accomplished, but not without heavy losses. Back in the village, the two men bet on Charmaine and their own lives: the winner can decide the fate of his opponent. The question of whether Charmaine has merely triggered their open hostility, or whether these two men really see love as a reason to die is revealed when the company is sent back to the front on the same night: Flagg and Quirt, who could both stay in the safety of the village, go to the front together. Despite everything, the allure of danger and loyalty to one another is stronger than their desire for safety and romance.