Based on the short story by Heinrich von Kleist (1777-1811), this TV mini-series tells of a horse trader who is cheated out of a couple of black horses by crooked Junker Wenzel von Tronka (a small landlord) on the way to Dresden. When Kohlhaas puts his trust in the justice system and sues the Junker to return his horses, a relative of the Junker in Dresden uses his political influence to have the case thrown out. As a last attempt Kohlhaas' wife tries to convince the crooked Junker to pay retribution, but instead she is seriously injured and dies. The short story takes place in the time of Martin Luther, a time of serious social unrest among the country folks. So Kohlhaas has no great difficulties to incite some disgruntled locals to join him in a revenge attack on the Junker's castle. However, Tronka himself escapes. Excited by their success more farm hands join the search for Tronka's whereabouts, during which they commit several violent acts against innocent citizens.