When US pilot Colonel Joseph Ryan (Frank Sinatra) is shot down and placed in a German POW camp, he is more concerned with his own survival than escape. The top-ranking officer in the camp, he is initially reviled by his fellow British and American prisoners, who nickname him 'Von Ryan'. However, Ryan eventually comes to lead them in a daring escape attempt, taking over from the commanding British officer (Trevor Howard) and the escapees face many hazards as they commandeer a train to make their way across Italy, closely followed by the Nazis.

Peter Greenaway writes and directs this psychological drama. Architect Stourley Kracklite (Brian Dennehy) goes to Rome to organise an exhibition paying tribute to an 18th century predecessor. There he becomes convinced his pregnant wife, Louisa (Chloe Webb), is having an affair with one of his rivals and when he develops stomach cramps he suspects she is trying to poison him.