The setting is Vienna in 1914 before the outbreak of war. The aristocratic and somewhat jaded Prince Nicki, pursued by all the ladies, begins a flirtation with Mitzi, a crippled harpist who works in a suburban wine-garden, and who is in turn idolized by Schani, an uncouth and violently jealous butcher. Their first encounter significantly takes place in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral on Corpus Christi day, with Nicki among the emperor's cavalry regiment. Later, in the refracted light of falling apple blossoms in the wine-garden--scenes of a distilled, ethereal beauty--Nicki gradually wins her faith and love. Meanwhile, amidst the sumptuous and corrupt milieu of the family palace, Nicki is drawn into complicity against his will, as his unscrupulous mother informs him he must marry Cecelia, the daughter of a wealthy commoner, in order to revive the family fortune. Mitzi has a vision of The Iron Man (a symbol of the declining power and position of the Hapsburg dynasty) and falls before the crucifix in fear; but her love remains steadfast, and she protests her faith though abused by her mother and Schani. Infuriated by her rejection, Schani threatens to kill Nicki on his wedding day unless Mitzi agrees to marry him. Following the processional splendor of the cathedral wedding, Schani appears to carry out his threat, but Mitzi arrives in time to stop him; and through the downpouring rain Nicki sadly gazes on his true love in the crowd as he drives away with his bride.
曾经在美国空军服役、获得航天工程学学位的查尔斯?法默(比利?鲍伯?松顿 Billy Bob Thornton 饰)本来有希望成为美国宇航员,但当年突发变故令他没能实现儿时就立下的航天梦想。退役后的法默闭门建造自己的火箭,要全凭一己之力飞向太空。穿着宇航服出门的法默早已是镇上的名人,但没人相信他能够成功,同时银行方面因他无力偿还贷款,频繁的以罚没他的房产与土地相威胁。法默造火箭引起了FBI的注意并被禁止继续建造,法默则联系了媒体为自己造势,希望突破政府的阻拦。法默的计划始终得到妻子以及一子两女、老岳父的支持,一家人和几个好友给予了他各方面的帮助,终于,法默不顾政府威胁,摁下了火箭发射的按钮……