A post-war drama tracing the tragic fragmentation of five friends as greed and crime destroy their lifelong bond.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Post-War Promises
Five inseparable wartime buddies reunite after the conflict and swear eternal friendship. They each pursue different civilian paths, establishing a hopeful foundation for their future.
Key Events
Post-War Reunion — Five wartime buddies swear eternal friendship after WWII ends. Characters: PhilippeLocation: France
Jean's New Life — Jean begins his career as a postman.
Location: Post Office
Marcel's Boxing Career — Marcel pursues professional boxing.
Location: Gym
Roger's Acting Struggles — Roger fails to secure any acting roles.
Location: Theater
André's Studies — André focuses on his academic education.
Location: University
Descent into Crime
Roger's failed acting career leads him to shady nightclub owner Frédo. He quickly becomes a henchman and betrays his friend by stealing Jean's fiancée, while Marcel joins the gang after repeated boxing losses.
Key Events
André's Studies — André focuses on his academic education.
Location: University
Philippe's Social Standing — Philippe maintains his privileged social status. Characters: PhilippeLocation: High Society
Valérie's Introduction — Roger's sister introduces him to shady nightclub owner Frédo.
Location: Nightclub
Roger's Corruption — Roger becomes one of Frédo's henchmen.
Location: Nightclub
Simone's Betrayal — Roger steals Jean's fiancée Simone.
Location: Street
The group fractures as André departs for the Indochina war and is subsequently killed. Marcel's criminal activities culminate in a violent robbery where he is shot, and Valérie is murdered by Frédo's accomplice.
Marcel Joins Gang — Desperate Marcel aligns with Frédo's criminal gang.
Location: Nightclub
André's Deployment — André leaves for the Indochina war.
Location: Military Base
André's Death — André is killed in combat during the war.
Location: Indochina
Robbery Planning — Marcel prepares for a criminal heist.
Location: Safehouse
Marcel's Shooting — Marcel is shot down while participating in the robbery.
Location: Bank
Prison Gates & Uncertainty
Roger is imprisoned for his crimes, leaving Philippe to wait outside the prison gates. As Roger's release approaches, the narrative questions whether their fractured bond can ever be restored.
Key Events
Marcel's Shooting — Marcel is shot down while participating in the robbery.
Location: Bank
Valérie's Murder — Valérie is killed by one of Frédo's accomplices.
Location: Alley
Roger's Arrest — Roger is arrested and sent to jail.
Location: Police Station
Philippe's Vigil — Philippe waits outside the prison for Roger. Characters: PhilippeLocation: Prison Gates
Imminent Release — Roger prepares to leave jail after his sentence. Characters: PhilippeLocation: Prison Gates
Friendship Uncertainty — The possibility of reviving their lost friendship remains open. Characters: PhilippeLocation: Prison Gates
Story Breakdown
Wartime Brotherhood — Establishes the deep bond and shared history of the five friends before their paths diverge.
Eternal Oath — The group swears lifelong loyalty after WWII ends.
Post-War Reunion — Friends gather to celebrate survival and plan their futures.
Post-War Divergence — Each character pursues a distinct civilian career, setting the stage for individual struggles.
Jean's Postman Life — Jean seeks stability through a steady postal job.
Marcel's Boxing Career — Marcel turns to professional boxing for income and fame.
Roger's Corruption — Roger's professional failures push him toward dangerous underworld connections.
Failed Acting Career — Roger cannot secure roles and faces financial ruin.
Introduction to Frédo — Valérie introduces Roger to a shady nightclub owner.
Moral Compromise — The friends abandon their ethical boundaries to survive or gain power.
Stealing Simone — Roger betrays Jean by taking his fiancée.
Marcel Joins Gang — Desperate after losses, Marcel aligns with Frédo.
Tragic Downfall — Criminal choices lead to irreversible loss and violence.
André's War Death — André is killed in combat during the Indochina war.
Marcel's Robbery Shooting — Marcel is shot during a violent bank heist.
Prison & Redemption — The aftermath of crime forces imprisonment and leaves lingering questions about forgiveness.
Valérie's Murder — Roger's sister is killed by Frédo's accomplice.
Roger's Imprisonment — Roger is arrested and sent to jail for his crimes.
Now that the world conflict is over, five inseparable wartime buddies swear eternal friendship now to each other. But there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. Jean becomes a postman, Marcel a boxer, Roger an actor, André a student and Philippe remains what he has always been, a young man of good social standing. Roger, who can't find any role, is introduced through his singer sister Valérie, to Frédo, a shady nightclub owner.Roger soon becomes one of Frédo's henchmen. To make matters worse, he swipes Jean's fiancée, Simone. Marcel, who loses fight after fight, ends up joining Fredo's gang as well. André, who wanted to redeem the faults of his father during the Occupation, gets killed in the Indochina war. Marcel is shot down while taking part in a robbery. In her turn, Valérie is bumped off by an accomplice of Fredo and Roger is sent to jail.
