In 1914 France, pastoral life on the Moreau farm is interrupted by war. Son Andre joins the army, a P.O.W. camp is built on the farm, and daughter Mona feels only hatred toward Germany. Arriving, the German prisoners cast approving eyes on Mona, but worsening war news keeps her hostile...until Oscar Muller, prisoner working on the farm, proves himself a good man by his actions. As the bond between Mona and Oscar strengthens, so does the neighbors' vituperation. When the war ends her brother, who was thought to have been killed, returns home sightless. His pleads the villagers to accept the German warning them that their bitter heards carry enough hatred to start another war.