Synopsis: In 1805 Paris, petty criminal and lothario Eugene-Francois Vidocq and his cellmate escape from prison. Pretending to be soldiers, they travel to Marseilles where attractive young singer Loretta and her jewels tempt them. Vidocq then meets a marquise and plots to steal her stash of jewels. With the help of the minister of police's daughter, Therese, Vidoqc finds himself unexpectedly replacing the police chief and reconsidering his ways.