The battle of the sexes? The forces of despair and seduction? On S. Miguel in the Azores, Rogério, a young man with old money, and his enigmatic wife Leonor host a garden party at their villa. The intriguing guests are an older unmarried couple, the philosophical and observant Irene, and Michel, a roué. While Rogério and Irene talk, Michel and Leonor go down to the sea. The conversations upset Rogério and capture Leonor's imagination. Five years later, the four dine at the villa. Michel and Leonor again leave the other two. Intentions and undercurrents are subtle. One of the four proves strong, one weak, and two must choose. Wind and rain bring down the curtain on both acts.
| Directing | Manoel de Oliveira | Director |
| Production | Paulo Branco | Producer |
| Editing | Valérie Loiseleux | Editor |
| Camera | Renato Berta | Director of Photography |
| Costume & Make-Up | Isabel Branco | Costume Design |
| Sound | Jean-François Auger | Sound Mixer |
| Writing | Agustina Bessa-Luís | Writer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Emmanuelle Fèvre | Makeup Artist |
| Writing | Manoel de Oliveira | Screenplay |
| Art | Zé Branco | Production Design |
| Writing | Jacques Parsi | Writer |
| Sound | Henri Maïkoff | Sound Designer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Philippe Mangin | Hairstylist |