Director Albrechtsen, who heads a large construction company, is a tough and ruthless businessman. He does not shy away from dubious transactions when they serve his interests, and it is precisely on this basis that he comes into sharp conflict with his employee of many years, civil engineer Humlegaard, and the conflict leads to Humlegaard leaving the company. In the film, we now follow the far-reaching consequences of Albrechtsen's brutal actions.

In a Danish village in the early 1600s, a young woman named Anne, whose mother was thought to be a witch, develops sympathy toward an old woman, Marte, who is accused of witchcraft. The intervention of Anne's older but kindly husband, Pastor Absalon saved her mother -- but now, urged on by his overbearing mother, he refuses to help Marte. When Absalon's son returns home and is attracted to Anne, it's a matter of time before her family destiny catches up with her.