In occupied France, a convicted thief and murderer escapes the guillotine when a bombing raid strikes the prison, but is quickly re-captured by the inspector of the Surete responsible for his original arrest. Fearing the guillotine more than his actual death, the convict inveigles the inspector to help him with a plan to rescue 100 Frenchmen taken by the Gestapo following an act of sabotage: he will confess to being the saboteur and allow himself to be executed by firing squad, the Gestapo's method of execution, thus freeing the 100 men.

Errol Flynn
as Jean Picard

Paul Lukas
as Inspector Marcel Bonet

Jean Sullivan
as Marianne

Lucile Watson
as Mme. Maret

Dennis Hoey
as Father Le Clerc

Albert Van Antwerp
as Vitrac, member of underground

Wallis Clark
as Razeau, member of underground

Victor Kilian
as LaTour, member of underground

James Flavin
as Captain of Mobile Guard

Douglass Dumbrille
as Police Commissioner LaFarge