Thorild Bröderman

In northern Finland in the fall of 1916, Saima Niva rescues a man drifting in the river, who turns out to be a German lieutenant Braun. Braun and his six comrades have managed to escape the prisoner of war at the Muurmann railway station, but the lieutenant has had to get rid of the lost group. While Braun is recovering, under the good care of Saima, Niva's neighbor and henchman of the gendarmes, the greedy policeman Simpura, gets a tip about the refugees camped in the desert.

Eetu, a wealthy homeowner, attempts to seduce Leena Kosken. But when austere log boy Erkki meets her at midsummer dances, Leena falls in love with him instead. Jealous, Eetu turns the men of the village against Erkki and the Tukki people.

The story, set in the 19th century, revolves around the hot-blooded Jussi, a young farmer, and his friend Antti and their brushes with the local nimismies (sheriff) and the häjyt (badmen). The film, shot on location on the plains of Ostrobothnia, conveys a good sense of its unique landscape. Both Järviluoma and the director, Jalmari Lahdensuo were from Ostrobothnia and the film suc­cessfully expresses a feeling of the true spirit of the province.

In 1850s Southern Ostrobothinia, the inn-keeper's new employee Vallesmann angers the peasants with his arrogant, dishonest and violent actions. Jussi, a young man from Harri's house, dares to stand up to Vallesmann. Jussi's courage impresses Harri's house's bright-eyed maid Liisa.