1793, French Revolution. For three years now, Charette, a young man retired from the Royal Navy, has been back home. In the countryside, the anger of the peasants rumbles: They call on the young retiree to take command of the rebellion.
In a few months, the idle sailor becomes a charismatic leader and an astute strategist, bringing in his wake peasants, deserters, women, old men and children, from which he forms a formidable army. The struggle for freedom has only just begun.