The story takes place during the Civil War, when Mary (Addison Rick Addison Riecke), a schoolgirl from the church school, accidentally meets Mike Bernie, a seriously injured northern soldier (Colin Farrell Colin Farrell). The kind Mary brings Mike Bernie back to boarding school. There is no thought about the threat that McBernie's existence poses to the girls' boarding school, which is supported by Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman Nicole Kidman) alone. As the only male in the school, McBernie's appearance was like a stone thrown into the calm water, causing ripples. Not only the Chinese teacher Edvina (Kersten Dunst Kirsten Dunst) can not help being attracted by the former, even the ignorant girl Alicia (Allie Fanning Elle Fanning) can not help her inner restlessness.