Movie about the life of little girl Marianne in a small German village 1943-1950. The peace comes in the shape of an American soldier who hands out chewing gum and peppermints to all the children, and is therefore called Mr. Peace. Marianne's head is filled with fear of war and belief that the war will come back. When Marianne hears the village fire-and-brimstone preacher exhort the congregation about how sinners are doomed, she imagines all sorts of things that might befall "Mr. Peace." Marianne knows he has become attracted to the one woman in the village who has a reputation for being fast and loose with her favors.