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This Belgian film tells of the appalling conditions soldiers were forced to serve under in the early 20th century. In the draft lottery, Jan Braems (Jan Decleir) has gone free. Another, less fortunate man offers him money (which he needs badly) to take his place, and he agrees, and enters the army. Not only does he suffer from near-starvation, approaching blindness and mistreatment, but his money is stolen. In addition, his girl back on the farm (Ansje Beentjes) cannot find anyone to help her run it, and things go poorly for her. In the end, she leave the farm and manages to rescue him from the military.