When the adulterous Bracciano and Vittoria become involved in a dangerous affair, an explosive conclusion seems inevitable. A series of shattering events are set in motion that lead to brutal betrayal and murder, exposing the duplicity and hypocrisy within Italian court life and the church.

John Webster's classic play is an exploration into the maze of conscience - where passion and revenge are all consuming, friends become enemies and human corruption threatens to bring chaos to all.