Amélie Belliveau lives an idyllic life with her family among the Acadians of Grande Pré, Nova Scotia. However, when the Acadians refuse to pledge allegiance to the British in their war against the French, the army invades Grande Pré, claims the land, and threatens to exile them. Corporal Connor MacDonnell is a reluctant participant in the British plan to expel the Acadians from their homeland. His sympathy for Amélie gradually evolves into a profound love--a love worth taking risks for.