Retrata o cerco sangrento da fortaleza de Port Arthur, uma das posições mais fortemente fortificadas do mundo, durante a Guerra Russo-Japonesa de (1904 - 1905). Na história dominou o personagem Ten Takeshi Kogyo (Teruhiko Aoi), professores e um oficial da reserva que se tornou comandante do pelotão e posteriormente da companhia. Paralelamente, acompanha a conduta do comandante do exército general Nogi (Tatsuya Nakadai), que foi comissionado do imperador Matsuhito (Toshirô Mifune) para a conquista do forte.
When a young soldier is killed while trying to prevent his younger sister, Kaoru, from being sold into a life of prostitution, his commander, Col. Miyagi, tries to honor his dying wish to rescue his sister. Upon finding Kaoru at a party working as a geisha and later rescuing her from committing suicide, Col. Miyagi allows her to move in with him. Over time, the two grow close, but in spite of Kaoru's growing feelings for him, Col. Miyagi is unable to bring himself to return her love. On the night of his deployment to war, Col. Miyagi finally admits his feelings for Kaoru, but will they ever be able to enjoy a peaceful life together now that a very violent and bloody military revolt is under way...
