After the First World War, Jake Barnes drifts through Europe seeking excitement to compensate for the impotence caused by a war wound. In Paris he meets Lady Brett Ashley, the woman who helped him to recover from his injuries during the war. Jake goes to Pamplona with his friend Bill for the San Fermín festivities. Lady Brett is already there with friends. Tensions mount between the men as they vie for the attentions of Lady Brett, who only has eyes for the young matador Pedro Romero.