The setting is Vienna in 1914 before the outbreak of war. The aristocratic and somewhat jaded Prince Nicki, pursued by all the ladies, begins a flirtation with Mitzi, a crippled harpist who works in a suburban wine-garden, and who is in turn idolized by Schani, an uncouth and violently jealous butcher. Their first encounter significantly takes place in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral on Corpus Christi day, with Nicki among the emperor's cavalry regiment. Later, in the refracted light of falling apple blossoms in the wine-garden--scenes of a distilled, ethereal beauty--Nicki gradually wins her faith and love. Meanwhile, amidst the sumptuous and corrupt milieu of the family palace, Nicki is drawn into complicity against his will, as his unscrupulous mother informs him he must marry Cecelia, the daughter of a wealthy commoner, in order to revive the family fortune. Mitzi has a vision of The Iron Man (a symbol of the declining power and position of the Hapsburg dynasty) and falls before the crucifix in fear; but her love remains steadfast, and she protests her faith though abused by her mother and Schani. Infuriated by her rejection, Schani threatens to kill Nicki on his wedding day unless Mitzi agrees to marry him. Following the processional splendor of the cathedral wedding, Schani appears to carry out his threat, but Mitzi arrives in time to stop him; and through the downpouring rain Nicki sadly gazes on his true love in the crowd as he drives away with his bride.
弗朗克,五十二岁,在市郊的一个商业中心中担任夜间巡逻保安。十年前,他曾是专业技术工人和工会代表,常常忙碌于工作而不得闲,总是充满了战斗精神。而现在,他却成为了自己生活中的一个逆来顺受的旁观者,他已经厌倦这般无趣的生活。一天深夜,他发现一辆吉普车在商业中心的停车场转来转去 , 他感觉到这似乎是在为某件大事而做准备,出于好奇心和对现实生活的灰心丧气,他决定以一己之力与之抗衡,对于他而言,这是一个再一次把命运攥在自己手中的机会…… Franck, 52 ans, est gardien de nuit dans un centre commercial de banlieue. Il y a dix ans, il était ouvrier spécialisé et délégué syndical, toujours sur le pont, toujours prêt au combat. Aujourd’hui il est le spectateur résigné de sa vie, et il s’ennuie. Une nuit, il voit un 4x4 qui rôde sur le parking, et sent que quelque chose se prépare… La curiosité le sort de son indifférence et il décide d’intervenir. Une occasion pour lui de reprendre sa vie en main…