At the turn of the 20th century in old Beijing, three young men—Fuhai, Liu Fangzi, and Zhao Er—train in the traditional funeral trade at Dacheng Workshop. Though not related by blood, they are as close as brothers, weathering hardship together. But as time passes, their paths diverge.

Fuhai is the eldest and most upright of the three, Liu Fangzi is slick and opportunistic, thriving in the chaos of the times by chasing power and wealth. Zhao Er, the youngest, is lazy and self-indulgent, always dreaming of getting rich without working for it.

As the tides of history shift and the city falls under new powers, Fuhai is forced to abandon his trade and join Zhao Er as a patrolman. He later finds some solace in marrying the kind-hearted Miss Rui (Deng Jie). But in such a turbulent era, is there truly any refuge for a decent, honest man?

Based on the novella by renowned author Lao She.

在20世纪之初的老北京，福海、刘方子、赵二同在以白事为业的大成庄学艺。三兄弟情投手足，经历了诸多苦难，却最终走上不同的道路。被尊为大哥的福海（张国立 饰）老实本分，忠厚仁义，他继承了师傅那日薄西山的手艺，与老婆大妹（刘孜 饰）辛苦度日；老二刘方子（李成儒 饰）善于察言观色、谄媚逢迎，纵横乱世之中，信奉钱权真理，甚至还与大哥的老婆私奔；老三赵二（何冰 饰）好吃懒做，游手好闲，总想舒舒服服的发财。城头变换大王旗，福海被迫扔下本业，和赵二去当巡警，并与善良的瑞姑娘（邓婕 饰）结为夫妇。可叹这茫茫乱世，可有老实人的容身之所……本片根据老舍同名中篇小说改编。