Europe in 1815, the duke of wellington george arliss is attempting to restore peace to europe but following napoleon's escape from the island of elba he realises that there will be one last decisive battle to be fought against france.louis xviii has been restored to the french throne following the defeat of france in the napoleonic wars. At the congress of vienna the allies discover that napoleon has escaped imprisonment from the island of elba. The allied armies have returned home to their respective countries so wellington is in no position to engage napoleon. Instead he advises the french king to leave france for ghent in belgium. As napoleon advances wellington decides to withdraw to belgium with his plan being to confront napoleon at waterloo!!even in victory, wellington knows the road to a lasting peace with france will require all of his diplomatic skills.