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In a befuddling look at the nature of evil (apparently linked with how much money one has), a young idealist finds himself in hot water by sticking with his beliefs. Hubert (Benjamin Voelz) is studying theology supported by a grant from a weapons manufacturer (Vittorio Gassman) -- the first crack in the student's ideals. Next, after he saves his sponsor's wife Sylvie (Marie-Christine Barrault) from suicide, the two start an illicit affair -- the second crack. Finally, Sylvie gets pregnant and convinces Hubert to face her husband with the truth. Her secret motivation is to cause her husband's weak heart to give out so she can inherit his fortune. It does, and lo and behold, it is Hubert who inherits the fortune. Sylvie manages to connive a solution to her dilemma that eventually helps Hubert heal those cracks in his virtue but leaves him as penniless as the day is long.