萝拉·蒙蒂斯是19世纪欧洲贵族的宠妓,在马戏团里兜售自己的艳史,这似乎是她为放纵付出的代价。这是奥菲尔的最后一部电影,影片以此作为框架,用闪回拼贴的方式表现箩拉巡回欧洲各国表演记忆,尤其她与巴伐利亚的路德维系国王以及作曲家李斯特之间的关系。
In search of a better life, a German girl named Willi joins an American carnival passing through Munich. While traveling from town to town, she is torn between two suitors: cruel carnival barker Joe and kindhearted high-dive artist Frank. Frank gets the upper hand when he asks Willi to join his act. The partners soon become the most popular attraction at the carnival. But tragedy is only a slip away.