Raskolnikov (John Hurt), a poor & isolated student, is sure of only one thing: all great men are above the law in all ways. Deeply in debt he puts his theory to the ultimate test: murder.
Obsessed with the fear that Porfiry suspects him, Raskolnikov has promised to tell Sonia who killed the old pawnbroker and her sister. He has returned to his room unaware that a greater danger awaits him there.