Der Schinderhannes

Hunsrück at the turn of the 18th to the 19th century. The crushing obligation to pay taxes to the French occupying power and the German nobility is becoming more and more unbearable for the peasants. However, there is one who rebels against double exploitation: Johann Bückler (Curd Jürgens), also known as 'Schinderhannes', fights for justice with his armed friends. Like Robin Hood once did, the robber chief attacks the rich and powerful. He distributes the money generously among the poor farmers. In Mainz he meets the travelling singer Julchen (Maria Schell), who immediately conquers his heart. She follows him into his forest hiding place and becomes the mother of his children. But his love becomes Schinderhannes' undoing.