In an unspecified war-torn European country, during an unspecified war (WW2?), a fearful young deserter, disguised as a woman, joins a band of gypsies and falls in love with the group leader's daughter. But his presence will bring the war to the gypsies with devastating effects. A folksy atmosphere with a number of great set pieces like the Romany wedding and a ritual burial, but little in the way of real substance.