Yrjö Somersalmi

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.

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.

The main characters are the artist Bertel von Bjelke and Hilkka Kanno the adopted daughter of the town councilor. Bertel is in love with Hilka, who, however, behaves badly with the artist. This does not prevent the artist from asking for the girl's hand from the town councilor Kanno, who accepts his friend's request. Kanto stresses, however, that the final decision is up to his daughter.

Fisherman Eerik Storm is in danger of losing his home and agrees to get money to be piloted by smugglers. When the customs officers surprise the smugglers, a chase and a firefight ensue, in which the customs officers are confronted with water.

Niilo, a son of a rich estate owner, is in love with a poor crofter's adopted daughter Heleena. However, on his father's orders, Niilo instead becomes engaged to Loviisa, a daughter of a wealthy landowner. When Niilo wants to call off the engagement, his proud and rejected bride begins to interfere with the lovers' relationship with the help of Penttula, who is said to be able to perform miracles.