At the beginning of the 1950s in the Baden-Wuerttemberg village of Sankt Peter: Since the death of his wife, the Bacher farmer, who strictly lives according to traditional rules, has become increasingly bitter. He sometimes vents his anger on his children Maria and Gregor, who are thick as thieves. Although Maria works hard from morning till night and Gregor also helps at the inn, the farm becomes too much for old Bacher. To his chagrin, however, Gregor wants to open a service station instead of taking over the farm as planned. Again and again there are heated disputes about this situation, until the Bacher farmer gives in. He will help Gregor out with money if Maria marries and thus ensures a “proper” continuation of the farm. Hannes, influential Zeiserer’s son, is supposed to take on the role of the new farmer. But Maria refuses. She feels quite capable of running a farm herself, and she passionately loves someone else. When Maria becomes pregnant, a catastrophe begins.