This historical film is set in a village in Mecklenburg during the mid-19th century. The law requires that Mariken and Johann obtain the local Baron's permission before they can marry and live on his land, but their request is denied because Mariken once rejected the Baron's advances.

When the Baroness discovers that Mariken is pregnant, she is outraged and forces the helpless young woman to leave her service. Mariken later dies after giving birth to their son.

Meanwhile, Johann has been forced to leave the country after killing the cruel Baron in a fight. After ten years, Johann, who has lived through the events of the 1848 revolution, returns to the village in the hopes of giving his child a better life. 

Based on Fritz Reuter's poem with the same name.