RomySchneiderplaysanaristocraticwomanin1936Greece,whoamusesherselfpursuingashallowlovelessaffairwithanobleman,butunexpectedlyfallsinlovewithapoliticalactivist.OnAugust4,1936,GeneralMetaxasdeclaredmartiallawinGreece.AunionleaderusingthenameBoutrosissoughtinAthensbyPrimoukis,aruthlesspoliceleader.Boutrosnarrowlyescapesand,earlythenextmorning,jumpsthroughthewindowofMarcheseMargotSantorini,thewealthyAustrian-bornwifeofRico,apennilessItaliandiplomatandplayboy.Margotisboredandwithoutpurpose:aidingBoutros'sescapeinvigoratesher,andsoonsheisinlove.Thefilmbrieflyjumpsto1945whenRicoandRaoul(whoassistedheroutoflove)meetinFrancetotalkaboutherfate,andthenjumps30yearstoMargot'sdaughter'svisittoGreecetofindoutaboutherfather.
