A man grows up in very modest circumstances in the early years of the 20th century, but his diligence, intelligence and willingness to endure hardship helps him to become a leading brain surgeon. A success story on the face of it, but a story about a man – who is none other than the director's father – a man of powerful emotions. The film explores the nature and origin of the guilt that repeatedly deprived him of happiness.
A new foreman, Huus, arrives in a sleepy Danish village, much to the delight of the unmarried women there. However, Huus becomes very friendly with Katinka and her husband, Bai, the stationmaster. Katinka, childless and in frail health, gradually falls in love with Huus, though her husband does not seem to notice. Based on the work by Herman Bang.