A moral decay leading to revolution is paralleled to the illness that is consuming the hero in this emotive tale by renowned director Luis Buñuel. Set on a fictional Latin American island, the action starts when Gov. Vargas (Miguel Angle Ferriz) is assassinated. His executive secretary Ramon Vasquez (Gerard Phillipe who died during production) is then forced to temporarily assume the mantle of power. After the new, brutal, and sadistic governor (Jean Servais) takes over, conditions steadily deteriorate. Meanwhile, the widow of the former governor, Inez Vargas (Maria Felix), and Ramon have fallen in love. Their relationship, as well as the stability of the island, is threatened by the new governor who covets Inez.