To Roger's shock after the end of the war he discovers that Tom survived and had been nursed back to rough health by the Germans. They both return home, Roger to glory and respect and Tom a drug habit. Tom's life begins to spiral downwards as the drug addiction takes away his job, his reputation and his respect. This isn't the end of Tom's topsy turvey adventure as he rises up to become a success in business but inadvertently causes a riot. Roger has his troubles too, in the end he gets caught for stealing. The two men end the film as they started, together with nothing, and in the rain.
The film has plenty of story, which is frequently laid on a bit thick. Barthelmess produces a superb portrayal of a man beaten down by the system and all life can throw at him but still come up for more. Loretta Young and Alice McMahon also take on very good roles.
