The film moves the opera (Carmen) to the US South and is filmed exclusively with black actors. Joe is a soldier assigned to arrest factory worker Carmen Jones for assault. While being transported to the prison, Joe seduces Carmen. Carmen escapes, and Joe ends up in jail himself. His fiancee Cindy Lou also breaks up with him. In desperation and in slavery to Carmen, he deserts from the army. But the relationship between Joe and Carmen doesnt turn out the way Joe had hoped. Carmen is bored with Joe. When her friends Frankie and Mirt invite her to a boxing match, she finds boxer Husky Miller to be a much more interesting person. Filled with jealousy and hatred, Joe kills Carmen.