KristinisthedaughterofaprominentlandownerinmedievalNorway.Shegrowsupintotalharmonywiththeidealsofthetime:strongfamilyties,socialprideanddevoutChristianity.Sheacceptsthefactthatherfatherhasarrangedforhertomarrythesonofanotherlandowner.Kristin'sbeautyandpuritycreateviolentemotionsaroundher.Thereareenvyandattemptedrape,murderandrevenge.Sheseeksrefugefromtheworldinaconvent,awaitingthetimeforhermarriage.Herethepassionofherlifestrikes,theknightErlendNikulaussonn.He,anaccomplishedseducer,alsofallshopelesslyinlove.Theyhavetocrossnotonlyconventwallstomeet,butsocialboundariesaswell.Theirlovecannotbekeptsecret,andsuddenlytheinnocentKristinisthecentreofascandal.Herfiancewithdrawsfromtheirengagement,herfatherrages,andErlend'sformermistresstriestopoisonher.Theaffairgrowsintoapoliticalissue,andfinallysomeofthecountry'smostdignifiedleaderspersuadeLavranstogivein.Theloverswineachother,butitisinfrontofacharredaltarinaburntdownchurch,andtheirhappinesshasadoubleedge.WrittenbyTheNorwegianFilmInstitute