Michel Descombes is a watchmaker who lives in Lyon with his teenage son Bernard. When the police visit and inform him that Bernard has killed a man and is on the run with a girl, Michel realises that he knew far less about his son than he thought.

Philippe Noiret
as Michel Descombes

Jean Rochefort
as Commissioner Guilboud

Jacques Denis
as Antoine, friend of Michel

Yves Afonso
as Inspector Bricard

Julien Bertheau
as Edouard, friend of Michel

Jacques Hilling
as Costes, journalist

Clotilde Joano
as Janine Boitard, journalist

Andrée Tainsy
as Madeleine Fourmet

William Sabatier
as Lawyer

Cécile Vassort
as Martine, workwoman