The film is an adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s short story and depicts the poverty, exploitation and underdevelopment of Polish peasant subject to socage in the XIXth century.
The plot is located in Barania Głowa a village in the Russian partition of Poland. A county clerk – Zołzikiewicz is a ruthless man and he tries to seduce Marysia, the wire of Rzepa – a peasant. Rejected he pulls Rzepa on a draft list for the Russian military. He reaches his goal – the woman surrenders to him in exchange for releasing her husband from military duty. Jealous Rzepa does not understand her sacrifice. In desperation he kills his wife and commits suicide.
