Two French officers that fight during the Napoleonic Wars, are also waging a silent war with each other. Armand d'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Ferraud (Harvey Keitel) are friends until d'Hubert accidentally offends Ferraud, setting off a lifelong struggle between the two men. Over time they meet in various duelling contests, from duels with small swords, to duels with sabres, to a near duel with pistols that is only stopped by their need to defend themselves against outside attack. Eventually the Napoleonic Wars end and d'Hubert joins the aristocracy and rises in society, but Ferraud remains a staunch supporter of Napoleon. Despite their lifelong feud, d'Hubert saves Ferraud by convincing Minister Fouche (Albert Finney) not to execute him. Still Ferraud pursues their old rivalry until they come to a final showdown.