[1] Although in structure a crime film, it is as much a character study of people under stress and an examination of aspects of French society.

Noël, a former gangster now breeding horses on his large estate outside Paris with his beautiful wife Nicole, has his quiet life turned upside down when two wanted crooks arrive in a stolen car.

Realising that Mickey must be stopped, Noël sends Nicole to a hotel for safety and calls on two old accomplices to help him find the madman.

But, learning that a prize mare is sick, Nicole breaks cover and slips back home one night.

The bank guard shoots Mickey and, picking up the wounded man, Noël takes him to a safe house to die.