Wealthy Alexander Moore and working-class Jerry Crowe are childhood friends and in 1914 find themselves in the same Army unit - Alex as an officer and Jerry as a private. They still remain close, however, until Jerry is court-martialed for desertion, and Alex is put in charge of the firing squad.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Daniel Day-LewisAlex Moore | Alex Moore |
 Christopher FairbankJerry Crowe | Jerry Crowe |
 Siân PhillipsMrs Alicia Moore | Mrs Alicia Moore |
 Alan MacNaughtanMr Frederick Moore | Mr Frederick Moore |
 Barry FosterMajor Glendinning | Major Glendinning |
 David GwillimBennett | Bennett |
| PPatrick HannawaySergeant Barry | Sergeant Barry |
 Kevin MooreCorporal O'Keefe | Corporal O'Keefe |
 Frank WilliamsAngry Major | Angry Major |
 Philip FoxPadre | Padre |
 Claude Le SachéFrench Cafe Proprietor | French Cafe Proprietor |
| RRay CallaghanCave | Cave |