In the winter of 1820 the farmer Franz Raffl discovers the secret hiding place of the fugitive Andreas Hofer, the leader of the revolt against the French. A large reward has been promised which could need the farmer who is deeply in debt. He is interrogated by the French and in the end he has to take the soldiers to the hiding place. Without ever receiving the reward he is persecuted. He escapes some attempts on his life by skin of his teeth. His home is requisitioned, so he is forced to begin a new life in the town, far awy from the village. He finds a house, a job and even a friend. Now Raffl is all right. He begins to understand the story which he was involved and his role in the game of power.