It's 1914 and the British Empire's greatest supporter, Rudyard Kipling (Haig) is at the peak of his literary fame. Kipling's son, Jack (Radcliffe), is determined to play his part in the imminent war with Germany but Kipling uses his influence to land Jack a commission in the Irish Guards. Kipling's wife, Caroline (Cattrall) is bitterly upset, failing to see the glory in losing her only son to the war. How will the great writer, torn between his two greatest passions - devotion to King and Country and love for his family - justify the consequences of his actions to himself and his wife?