It is 1959 and three World War I veterans pass their days in a military hospital in a sleepy rural setting. Having struck up a close, if querulous, friendship, Gustave, Philippe and Henri meet every morning on their quiet terrace, where they bicker and tease each other as they reflect on their lives. They may have ageing bodies but their youthful minds dream about young women and, looking over the cemetary to the poplars beyond, they dream of escape and adventure. Will today be the day they finally make it to Indochina or perhaps only as far as the top of the hill?