At the end of the middle ages, Ursula is accused of having poisoned her own husband. She claims she is innocent, but to prove it, she must submit to a ritual: trial by fire, walking on fire along a path leading directly to a crucifix. A film that has been much commended for the visual creativity shown by the director in successive blending in of images involving Ursula, her husband, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Much applauded, also: the performance of Jenny Hasselqvist, thus described by French director René Clair: “We shall never forget her flaming eyes, the severity of her spirit, her abrupt and alarmed expressions, like an animal under threat.”
The rich Baron Von Meislingen dreams of being a poet-- Unfortunately, he has no talent what so ever. In one of his apartments lives the talented but poor poet Peter Långhår. Von Meislingen steals his latest work from him and publishes it under his own name. 'His' poems becomes a success and Von Meislingen becomes regarded as one of the greatest living poets.
Musician Gaston Brenner gets accepted to study under piano virtuoso Jean Krause. Through this he becomes acquainted with the painter and professor Mac Steep who is working on a painting of Christ at the last supper. He thinks Gaston's face would be perfect as a model for Christ's.
Countess Hedvig von Wärnfelt (born Wärnfelt), receives her orphan's granddaughter Marianne to educate her in tukt and her reverence. Marianne is an iron and vibrant young girl, who also carries theater grills. The Countess is staggered over her uneducated facials and treats her severely, hard and joyless.
"Between life and death" - Dr Brinck and his assistant Inger Holm spend days and nights in his laboratory to experiment with a revolutionary medical cure for poisoning. Inger Holm is deeply in love with his boss. When the two scientists one day go to bed and visit an outdoor server, Brinck's manufacturer will meet Warren and his daughter Elsa and get an opportunity to help Elsa with a damaged foot. Thanks to him, he is invited to a party in the manufacturer's luxurious home...
Count de Faber is working on a new type of explosive, but finds out that Professor Plussman has beat him to it. After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the formula from Plussman, he breaks into the professor's house, steals the formula, and kidnaps his daughter, Mary. He takes her to Carlsten Fortress.