Cyrano springs from his box like a devil to interrupt a performance, challenge the public and the powerful. He fights with panache and poetry, alone against all, and commands admiration - especially that of Roxane, his cousin, whom he is secretly in love with.

 

 

 

But she loves another, Christian, incarnation of beauty and youth. Cyrano, who is afflicted with a prominent nose, is ugly. Fate places the two men in the same regiment, who, against all odds, become friends. They talk about Roxane, and Christian admits his embarrassment at not being able to seduce her: he is devoid of mind when it comes to love. Cyrano decides to help her conquer her, by whispering her words and letters. The rivals are allied, and the ploy works: Roxane falls in love with Christian. But soon, no longer able to be loved for himself, the young man asks Cyrano to confess everything to the young woman, then dies in battle; Cyrano chooses to be quiet. Years later, while Cyrano is fatally wounded, Roxane understands, in a final conversation.