Saint-Pierre in 1850 is a small, forgotten French island not far from Canada. One night a man is savagely murdered. The guilty man, Neel Auguste is subsequently condemned to death. But Saint-Pierre has neither guillotine nor executioner. The French government promises to remedy the situation but warns there will be a long wait. In the meantime, Neel is placed under custody with the Captain and awaits his execution with humility. The Captain′s wife, Madame La, is particularly interested in Neel′s fate. She cannot resign herself to accept that a man can really be bad, and hopes for his rehabilitation at all costs. Little by little, the condemned man becomes indispensable and the most popular man on the island. But when the guillotine arrives by boat, justice must be done. Madame La will do her utmost to stop Neel being executed. Undying love for his wife will incite the Captain to oppose the Establishment and thus lead, inevitably, to his destiny.