The film is about a group of artists in the Klara Quarter. Ararat, a poor painter in Stockholm, one day meet his ex-fiance Elisabeth who is now a rich widow.
Ulla and Gunnar meet and fall in love in Stockholm in the late 1930s. Early in their relationship Ulla discovers that she is pregnant but she decides to get an abortion because she doesn't want to pressure Gunnar into marrying her. The outbreak of the war puts a strain on their relationship when Gunnar gets called up for military service.
Two movie actors are conscripted; at the regiments spies are trying to get hold of secret documents.
