When compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley has lost his estate and all his money playing dice, he realises that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Serena. In a final game, he stakes his daughter's hand in marriage, convinced that this time he will not lose. Unfortunately, however, he does lose; to the evil Lord Wrotham. Unable to return home and tell his daughter that he has lost her in a game of dice, Sir Giles kills himself there and then. Lord Vulcan, who has witnessed the events, takes pity on Serena Staverley, although they have never met. He challenges Lord Wrotham to a game of dice in which the winner takes both Staverley Court and Miss Serena.
Diana Rigg
as Lady Harriet Vulcan
Edward Fox
as Lord Harry Wrotham
Christopher Plummer
as Sir Giles Staverley
Helena Bonham Carter
as Serena Staverley
Neil Dickson
as Nicholas
Fionna Fullerton
as Lady Isabel Gillingham
Stewart Granger
as Old Vulcan
Anna Massey
as Eudora
Eileen Atkins
as Lady Harriet's Maid
Christopher Villiers
as Captain Jackson
Gareth Hunt
as Joker
Marcus Gilbert
as Lord Justin Vulcan
