After years of questioning why people fear him, Death takes on human form so he can mingle among the mortals and find an answer. However, events soon spiral out of control as he falls in love with the beautiful young Grazia, the only woman not afraid of him. As he falls in love with her, her father sees him for what he is and begs him to return to his duties. Death must decide whether or not to seek his own happiness or sacrifice it so that Grazia may live.

When The Grim Reaper himself assumes the identity of Prince Sirki (Frederic March), he embarks on a profound journey to discover the beauty and pain of human existence. As he falls in love with the enchanting Grazia (Evelyn Venable), he faces a dilemma that questions the very essence of life and death. March and Venable’s moving performances provide the film’s emotional core, and are unexpectedly poignant, lyrical, and on occasion, gently humorous. – TORONTO FILM SOCIETY