In this drama set in India against the backdrop of the Ganges river, withdrawn British teenager Harriet (Patricia Walters) and her outgoing, boisterous best friend, Valerie (Adrienne Corri), both have a crush on debonair outsider Capt. John (Thomas E. Breen). Though his heart lies with beautiful local native Melanie (Radha Shri Ram), John's dark past as a WW II veteran keeps him from acting on his feelings and plunges him deeper into depression.