 Germany 1935. Mathieu Blumenthal asks Professor Epstein for help and tells him his story. He has been condemned to wander eternally for insulting Christ on his way to Golgotha. Paris, May 1940. Now a rich banker established in Paris, Mathieu lives with his beautiful mistress, Hélène, and his butler Hans (both Nazi agents). When Professor Epstein, fleeing Nazi persecution with his niece Esther, Mathieu first selfishly refuses but over time changes attitudes and finally takes a stand for the Jewish people. He, Epstein and Esther (who has become Mathieu s true love) will be sent to a concentration camp ...