Rut and her husband Bertil travel home by train after a holiday in
Italy. Their marriage is unhappy due to Rut's changing moods and heavy drinking. While passing through the ruins of
post-war Germany, Rut recalls an earlier affair with married military officer Raoul. Raoul forced her to abort their child, which resulted in complications, mainly Rut's infertility and her inability to continue her career as a dancer. Her friend and co-dancer Valborg, disgusted by men, turned to other women. Bertil too is haunted by an earlier affair, with widow Viola. While Rut and Bertil travel home, the film shows Viola's escape from a sadistic psychiatrist, her encounter with Valborg, who openly tries to seduce her, and her final suicide. Meanwhile, tension between Rut and Bertil escalates, and Bertil seemingly kills Rut after a fight. Bertil awakens and realises that he imagined Rut's death. The couple decide to give their marriage another chance. ==Cast==