Indonesia, 1965 during the coup against President Sukarno. Guy Hamilton, an Australian wire-service reporter covers the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good, he is brought back to earth by his "conscience," photographer Billy Swan . As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray, Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant. Their relationship undergoes a severe test as Hamilton has to decide whether to air a top story that would expose Jill as his source. Kwan who is also in love with Jill finally becomes disillusioned with Sukarno and, in an atmosphere charged with political hysteria and betrayal, commits a desperate act.