During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a group of international travelers tries to get out of Budapest, but are thwarted at every turn by the Soviets. With the airport closed, they decide to flee by bus, but are stopped at the Austrian border by Major Surov (Yul Brynner). He delays them indefinitely, very much interested in British Baroness Diana Ashmore (Deborah Kerr), and little knowing that her lover is a Hungarian freedom fighter (Jason Robards Jr.).