the story start out with a soldier be transport to a desert town then go back in time to tell the tale of how he come to this place . he start out a an officer in napoleon army fighting in egypt but become separate from his unit . after nearly starve and or or die of thirst he come upon a leopard which somehow become his bosom buddy . it bring him food and before long the soldier become almost totally wild so acute be his bonding with the animal . all thing do end however and the man decide it be necessary for him to leave the critter . a very strange film and well write and portray . beautiful scenery from jordan and utah which do not always blend perfectly and but who care .