竹下宗吉(绪形拳 饰)和妻子阿梅(岩下志麻 饰)在川越市经营一家印刷店。早年生意兴隆,宗吉撒谎偷偷在外供养一名酒肆女招待梅代(小川真由美 饰),七年间梅代为他生养三个儿女。然突发火灾和大印刷厂的倾轧,宗吉的印刷店每况愈下,他也无力再供养梅代及孩子们。 失去生活来源的梅代忍无可忍,带着孩子找上门来,一番争吵过后,她将孩子留下独自离开。阿梅不满宗吉的背叛,将一腔怒火撒在孩子们的身上。从最小的庄二(石井旬 饰)开始,三个孩子一个个从宗吉的家中消失…… 改编自推理小说大师松本清张同名作品,故事来源于真实事件。When Sokichi stops providing his long-time lover Kikuyo enough money to pay for the care of their three young children, Kikuyo leaves the children with Sokichi - and his very surprised and angry wife Oume - and disappears.