The soldier José helps the impulsive gypsy Carmen escape after she stabs another worker in a tobacco factory in Seville during a quarrel. However, his love remains unfulfilled, as the beauty continually rejects José, despite her constant claims of loving him too. Just to be close to Carmen, José even becomes a member of a thieving gypsy gang. Ultimately, he makes one last desperate attempt to win her over: he wants to flee to America with Carmen to start a new life together. But Carmen has no intention of giving up her freedom, which means more to her than any great love.