The tale of the Venetian gondolier whose desire for revenge following a thwarted love affair leads him to Bohemia. The intricate plot also deals with destinies of other characters, who finally come together in a dramatic encounter at one time and in one place. In his role as screenwriter and director, Anton produced a highly accomplished version of Mácha’s work. He respected the original but was also able, along with the DoP Karel Kopřiva, to capitalise on the possibilities that the film medium offered. For the Venice prologue, the filmmakers exploited the photogenic qualities of the city – the narrow streets, the lagoons, gondolas and the sea – and they moved the set to the enigmatic Czech landscape around the castle of Kokořín.

Twins Adam and Eva are so alike, it is impossible to tell them apart, which enables the malicious Eva to get away with all sorts of naughty tricks and leave the blame to fall on Adam. The pair grows up and Adam decides to pay Eva back for the tricks she played on him in the past. When he discovers that the handsome Dr Prokop Novotny is interested in Eva, he dresses up as Eva and startles the suitor.

Dissolute Abel Beer, with the help of his debt collector friends - usurers, swindles a Prague Doctor Jakub Hlohovský out of a quiet house in Malá Strana. Jakub, familiar with the secrets and effects of various medicines, uses them to make himself look dead.