During World War II, a British soldier named Celliers is captured and brought to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Java, where he meets the camp's firm yet conflicted commandant, Yonoi. Major Jack Celliers's arrival at the camp heightens tensions as Yonoi becomes increasingly fascinated by him, while Captain Hicksley, the highest-ranking British officer, struggles with the camp's harsh treatment of prisoners. The camp is overseen by Sergeant Hara, who forges an unusual, complex relationship with British Lieutenant Colonel John Lawrence, the one prisoner fluent in Japanese and somewhat able to bridge cultural divides.

The narrative centers on the cultural clash and mutual misunderstanding between the Japanese captors and their British prisoners. As tensions escalate, themes of honor, duty, and the moral complexities of war are explored, focusing on the evolving dynamics between Yonoi, Celliers, Lawrence, and Hara. The story delves deep into the psychological and emotional struggles faced by both captors and captives, illustrating their humanity and the internal battles they face amid the relentless and dehumanizing environment of the POW camp. Through their interactions, the characters confront their own principles and the harsh realities of their circumstances.