The film follows the exploits of Jacques, a car-mechanic turned pro-thief, and his Jewish co-conspirator Simon as their robberies, beginning well before the Second World War, take on a political coloration under the occupation. Tempted into thievery when their auto-repair business handles a car which can outrun police vehicles, they are constantly pursued by the hard-working policeman Blanchot. During the occupation, the duo lend their skills to the resistance, and the policeman briefly becomes their ally, only to resume his pursuit of these charming criminals after the war.