As a young woman, Tristana (Catherine Deneuve) is orphaned and taken under the guardianship of Don Lope (Fernando Rey), a respected member of the community. However, Don Lope has a weakness for women and takes advantage of his innocent charge. When Tristana falls in love with artist Horacio (Franco Nero), she must learn to be more assertive in order to achieve independence from her nefarious guardian, or her blossoming relationship with Horatio is doomed.
