A couple move to an isolated house where – according to local legend – an ancient curse is rumoured to assail its inhabitants. Based on the novel by Väino Kataja (1914).
Tornionjokilaakso at the end of the 19th century, Paloniemi's landlord Heikki tries to get out of his financial difficulties with the help of his son Juhan and Nuottaniemi's only daughter Hanna. The happiness of Hanna, who has fallen in love with Antti of Rehti Koskenalusta, is threatened by the evil and dangerous Korpikoski.
In the small village of Nuottaniemi live Iisakki and his daughter Hanna. Iisakki bears a grudge against Heikki, blaming him for the death of his son in a timber rafting accident. To make things worse, Heikki's son Juhani wants to marry Hanna but she only has eyes for the lumberjack Antti.
