Filmen utspelas på en internatskola där pennalismen är hård och utbredd. Från första dagen på skolan får eleverna bittert erfara var i hierarkin de hör hemma. En dag får Mick och hans vänner nog och tar upp vapen i kampen mot förtryckarna. If.... är en brinnande uppgörelse med den engelska internatskolan - och samhället i största allmänhet - och vad den representerar av soldatanda, traditionalism, kyrklighet, översitteri, pennalism och homosexualitet.

In 19th century France, an escaped convict seeks redemption while caring for a young woman whose mother he once protected, and aligning himself with a band of student revolutionaries.

Two of the most radical student groups form the United Red Army (URA) and head into the mountains to conduct a training camp. Ideology devolves into despotism, and the URA's leaders begin to arbitrarily persecute their followers, a harrowing ordeal that culminates in violence and murder.

"The Invasion of the Student Union" - Stockholm, Sweden, May 24th. It all started as a regular student meeting, evolved into a mass-meeting and an invasion of the house, with all ended three days later. The students were primarily upset regarding a draft about a changed curriculum in higher education. They also pursued various political dogmas. The angry students called out for the responsible minister of the government. This happened to be Olof Palme. He arrived at the mass-meeting where he suffered much criticism.