Director Jerzy Skolimowski's taut thriller finds the captain (Klaus Maria Brandauer) of a Coast Guard lightship under duress when his vessel is invaded by a group of escaped convicts (with the leader portrayed by Robert Duvall) desperate not to be found. Fiercely committed to his ship and crew, the skipper won't go down without a fight, even if it means putting his life on the line. The question is: How will he get rid of his enemies?