In 1798 Napoleon is on the verge of taking Berne. A young man is influenced by a returning French soldier, although most of his remote village is resolutely anti-French. David's own father heads the anti-French loyalists, but David has a more modern view and is thinking of joining the French. He is also in love with Julie, whose father supports the French. But when the inevitable battle comes, the young lovers must beg their elders for support, and the father and son are pitted against each other.