Setonthesun-drenchedsoutherncoastofIran,fromwhichdirectorAmirNaderihails,"Harmonica"beginsasayoungboyreceivesamusicalpresentfromabroad.Fascinatedandenvious,hisfriendsmakehimtheleaderofthepack,astheycompetefortheprivilegeofholdingtheharmonicaorevenblowingafewnotes.NooneismoreobsessedthanAmiroo,gentleandheavy-set,whoseemswillingtodoanythingtogetclosetotheharmonicaanditsowner.Fewfilmshavemorepowerfullydepictedthecrueltythatisalsopartofchildhood,asgamesandhorseplaytakeonanincreasinglysinisteredge.