It’s 1914. Rudyard Kipling (David Haig), the British Empire’s greatest supporter, is at the peak of his literary fame. Kipling’s son, Jack (Daniel Radcliffe), is determined to play his part in the imminent war with Germany, but finds himself rejected due to his extremely poor eyesight. When his father uses his influence to lane Jack a commission in the Irish Guards, Kipling’s wife, Caroline (Kim Cattrall), is bitterly upset, failing to see the glory in losing her only son to the war.