In the 1950s, in a small provincial town, a young inexperienced judge clashes with an influential notable during an investigation into a suspicious death. His perseverance to get to the truth will cause a huge scandal.

Brussels in the year 1568, as the Flemish people are fighting against the tyranny of the Spanish occupiers. Led by Count de Rysoor, the revolt against the ruthless Duke of Alba, is meant to help Prince William of Orange to get into the city and come to power. Now, the count's lieutenant, has an affair with Elisabeth, Rysoor's wife. For the time being, the count, who thinks of his homeland first, turns a blind eye. But such a relationship might well undermine the whole rebellion movement.

艾德蒙（让·马莱 Jean Marais 饰）是一名年轻热情的水手，深深的爱着一位名为梅塞迪斯（Lia Amanda 饰）的姑娘。这一天，艾德蒙要跟随船队出海远航，他和梅塞迪斯约定，他一回来两人就结婚。艾德蒙并不知道的是，自己的好兄弟费尔南多（Robert Pigaut 饰）亦深深痴迷着梅塞迪斯的美貌，他和法官维尔福（France Asselin 饰）共同策划了一个阴谋，令艾德蒙被关入了监狱，等待着他的，是长达十三年不见天日的牢狱之灾。
在狱中，艾德蒙结识了神父法里亚（Gualtiero Tumiati 饰），只有他一个人相信艾德蒙是无辜的。在法里亚的帮助下，艾德蒙成功越狱并且得到了一笔巨额的财产，他隐姓埋名，化身成为深藏不露的基督山伯爵，要向所有伤害过他的人寻仇。