Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon trained in America, finds a wounded American POW washed up on his Japanese beach during World War II. Caught between duty to his nation and duty to humanity, he and his wife Hana shelter the man (Tom) and Sadao operates on him. The servants leave in protest. Sadao informs the General — who plans assassins — but eventually helps Tom escape on a small boat. Humanism transcends nationalism.