In 1950s communist Czechoslovakia, a government minister, a war veteran long a loyal party man, leads a relatively comfortable life with his wife. However, he soon finds himself under surveillance, then under arrest. Unclear what his offense is, agents for the totalitarian regime interrogate and torture him, aiming to use their unending power to gain a false confession for these supposed crimes against the state.

Yves Montand
as Gérard

Simone Signoret
as Lise

Gabriele Ferzetti
as Kohoutek

Michel Vitold
as Smola

Jean Bouise
as Boss of Factory

Michel Beaune
as Lawyer

Jacques Rispal
as Former Secretary

Antoine Vitez
as Communist Friend

Michel Robin
as Attorney General

László Szabó
as Secret Policeman