艾本(约瑟夫·科顿 Joseph Cotten 饰)是一名画家,靠着自己的勤奋和努力生存,然而,那个时代实在是太萧条了,所以艾本始终活在濒临破产的边缘。某日,画家偶然中遇见了一位名为珍妮(珍妮弗·琼斯 Jennifer Jones 饰)的女孩,艾本为珍妮画了一张速写,让他没有想到的是,这张速写被画廊老板相中,并交代他再画一些这样的画。
之后,艾本和珍妮断断续续的见着面,画家以她为模特创作出了一幅又一幅作品,随着时间的推移,艾本和珍妮之间渐渐产生了一种奇妙的羁绊。珍妮长大了,艾本所画的一副珍妮的肖像油画被博物馆收藏了,他的生活亦渐渐得到了改善。可是,与此同时,珍妮却消失了。
奎诺(Quino)是一位墨西哥潜水员,在海底发现了一颗珍珠。他和他的妻子胡安娜(Juana)及其儿子刚刚拥有了一颗价值数千的珍珠。每天人们都在尝试赚钱,甚至珍珠交易商也试图将其剥夺。奎诺(Quino)有一天受到攻击时,他是为了自卫而杀死攻击者。他的兄弟建议他们唯一的希望是离开村庄。但是,在给儿子提供从未有过的教育的过程中,有人可能会采取任何措施来阻止这种情况。 Quino is a Mexican diver who discovers a pearl at the bottom of the sea. He and his wife Juana, and their son have just taken possession of a pearl that is worth thousands. Everyday people try to get in on the cash, even Pearl Dealers try to rip them off. When Quino is attacked one day, he kills his attackers in self defence. His brother suggests their only hope is to leave the village. But on their journey to give their son an education they never had, someone may just do anything to prevent it.