Ireland, 1920: During the break-out of the Anglo-Irish-War the young doctor Damien O'Donovan is preparing to leave for London, where he has a job in a hospital. His friends always argue with him about his new employers, the Brits, as the British government had sent mercenaries, the "Black and Tans" to restore peace in this country striving for independence.
When Damien goes to say goodbye to a neighbour, he becomes witness of the brutality of the British mercenaries, who kill the grandson of his neighbour, just because he refuses to say his name in English.
After this event Damien decides to stay in Ireland and fight for freedom and independence.
He joins the resistance-group led by his brother Teddy- a part of the Irish Republic Army, organized in guerilla squads.
After a fight in a bar Teddy and some others are arrested and tortured, but short before their execution they can organize a flight and hide with Damien in the hills of the area.
Finally there is the Anglo-Irish Contract between London and Dublin, leading to the foundation of the Irish free state, but with only 26 of the 32 counties.
Teddy sees the political development as positive and joins the army of the new state, but Damien still fights for the complete independence of his country.
During an attack on a depot of weapons of the army Damien is arrested and sentenced to death. Teddy promises him amnesty if he gave away the locality of th IRA's weapon depots and the hiding-place of one of their leaders. When Damien refuses to do so, Teddy commands his execution.