Frenchman Abel Tiffauges is a naive man who lives a simple life working as a mechanic. Falsely accused of being a child abuser, he is recruited as a soldier when World War II begins, but is captured soon and taken to the heart of Nazi Germany.

A French baron Paul travels to Russia to find the woman whom he had been in correspondence. On arriving to a small Russian town he finds out that Ania had been helping his friend Irina to translate letters which Irina subsequently has been sending to Paul. At this New Year's Day love sparks in his heart as he tries to win her hand.

Sophie Beaulieu, examining magistrate, cannot manage to find the limits between her work and her family life. The boundaries are further blurred when, following the violent death of her son, the judge finds herself involved in the investigation. Beaulieu thinks he knows who the murderer is, but he manages to escape justice.