The first title states that in the last moments of life a person visualizes the highlights of his lifetime. The opening shot shows a man struggling in water. A hand reaches up, indicating that the man is drowning. Then a series of quick shots: double and triple exposures of Pierrot's head, faces of women, flashing headlights, spinning wheels, a shower of stars, an explosion, and a child's book. The picture slows down to summarize the man's life: schooldays, a loving mother, a stern father, a religious confirmation, a birthday party, the circus, an adolescent affair with a circus performer, a quarrel with his father, leaving home, stowing away on a ship, wandering into a tavern in port, reciting for the drinkers, being run over by a car, an operation and recovery in the hospital, becoming an actor, marrying the nurse who took care of him, quarreling, a divorce, the death of his mother, the funeral, an affair with a married woman, a duel with her husband, the war, and his friend dying in his arms. He returns to civilian life, resumes acting, falls in love with his leading lady, marries; she dies. Dressed as Pierrot, he walks home, reaches the pond, looks at his reflection, and wades in until only his hand is visible. Then the hand disappears, and the film ends with a few bubbles rising to the surface.
