New York cab driver Korben Dallas didn't mean to be a hero, but he just picked up the kind of fare that only comes along every five thousand years: a perfect beauty, a perfect being, a perfect weapon. Now together, they must save the world.

In 19th century Seville, the lusty, tempestuous Carmen seduces a naive Army corporal, Don Jose, newly assigned to the village fortress. Jose abandons his career, his fiancee and even his dying mother for the love of this sultry gypsy. But soon she spurns him in favor of a toreador, Escamillo. Crazed with jealousy, Jose begs Carmen to return to him, but her taunting declaration of independence results in tragedy.