Disillusioned Frederick Henry (Rock Hudson) has gone to Europe. While there, World War I breaks out. He enlists in the Italian Army and is assigned the job of ambulance driver. One day he is wounded and hospitalized. He meets a nurse while recovering and the two begin a passionate affair. Catherine Barkley (Jennifer Jones) gets pregnant. But before they can get married, the war again causes problems. The two are separated. Finally, Frederick gets to Switzerland and meets up with Catherine. But their tragic lives are not yet over. The baby is born stillborn and Catherine dies of a broken heart which leaves Frederick alone again.