Manon

Actresses, gentlemen and the demi-monde of Paris gather at the courtyard of an inn. Among them are the young student des Grieux, the wealthy Monsieur G.M. and Lescaut, who is there to meet his sister Manon on her way to enter a convent.

Manon arrives on the coach accompanied by another passenger, an Old Gentleman who is obviously attracted to her. Her brother Lescaut notices the man’s interest and takes him into the inn to come to an arrangement over Manon.

Remaining outside, Manon meets des Grieux who is immediately entranced by her. The pair fall in love and decide to run away together, helped by money Manon has stolen from the Old Gentleman. When Lescaut and the Old Gentleman return, having made their bargain, they are dismayed to discover Manon’s disappearance. Monsieur G.M. tells Lescaut that he too is interested in Manon, and, attracted to his wealth, Lescaut promises to find her and persuade her to accept Monsieur G.M.

Having escaped to Paris, des Grieux is composing a letter to his father when he is distracted by Manon, who lovingly teases him and declares her love. When he leaves to post the letter, Lescaut arrives with Monsieur G.M., who entices Manon to be his mistress with gifts of fine jewels and a fur coat. Yielding to his advances, Manon leaves with Monsieur G.M. before des Grieux returns.

Devastated by Manon’s betrayal, des Grieux is persuaded by Lescaut to allow the affair between Manon and Monsieur G.M. to reap the financial benefits.

Monsieur G.M. arrives at a party at Madame X's hotel particulier with Manon on his arm. Dressed in expensive clothes and looking beautiful, Manon sees that des Grieux is also at the party with a drunken Lescaut.

Torn between her love for des Grieux and her desire for the wealth of her companion, Manon convinces des Grieux to cheat Monsieur G.M. at cards and win his fortune before escaping with her. Des Grieux’s cheating is quickly revealed, and the lovers escape into the night leaving Lescaut to be arrested for the crime.

Returning to des Grieux’s lodgings, the two declare their love for each other once more before Monsieur G.M. forces his way into the apartment with armed officers and Lescaut. In the ensuing struggle Monsieur G.M. has Manon arrested and Lescaut is shot and killed.

The Gaoler of the Penal Colony waits at the Louisiana port for the incoming French convicts. Deported to America for crimes of prostitution, Manon, along with the other convicts, beg for mercy in this unknown land. Pretending to be Manon’s husband, des Grieux has also arrived on the ship. When the Gaoler turns his affections towards Manon, trying to win her with promises of jewels, des Grieux rushes in and kills the Gaoler. The pair escape into the Louisiana swamp.

While evading their pursuers, the lovers become lost and ultimately trapped. Unable to continue, Manon becomes delirious as images from her life appear before her. Declaring her love for des Grieux one last time, Manon collapses, dying in her lover’s arms.