The Headsman (Der Henker)

Tyrol, early sixteenth century. The foundlings Martin and Georg are raised by monks and inseparable until the archbishop takes little Georg under his wings. Martin becomes a mercenary and Georg the prior of his childhood`s monestery. Many years later the two friends meet again and Martin, on a short leave from the front-line falls in love with Anna – the daughter of the old executioner and very skilled in medicine – she soon gives birth to his son. He then marries her and settles down. The price he has to pay, however, he now belongs to the untouchables, like his wife and his only option is to become an executioner himself.