Based on the novel by Stendhal, this period drama follows the young and ambitious Julien Sorel (Gérard Philipe) as he attempts to rise above his lower-class background. While highly motivated, Julian is limited in his understanding of high society and the world in general, leading to a number of unfortunate situations for the naïve upstart, particularly his ill-fated love affair with the wife (Danielle Darrieux) of aristocrat Monsieur de Rênal (Jean Martinelli).