Plunkett (Robert Carlyle) and Macleane (Jonny Lee Miller) are the criminal duo of the aristocratic element known as "The Gentlemen Highwaymen." When Macleane falls in love with the beautiful daughter of Lord Chief Justice Gibson, the two crooks find themselves hotly pursued by Thief Taker General Chance, who's also quite fond of the girl. As it happens, Plunkett has a bone to pick with Chance, and his impulsiveness gets all of them in trouble!