It's Christmas 1819. Jacquou was 8 when Martin Féral, his father revolted and stood up to Laborie, who wounded his wife Marie. In anger, Martin kills him before fleeing. He leaves Marie and Jacquou alone to face the Count's fury.
Martin flees, but is quickly denounced and arrested. Jacquou and his mother take refuge in La Tuilière, in a ruined house in the heart of the forest. Shortly after, she is summoned to Périgueux for Martin's trial
After trial, Martin was sentenced to the galleys. Chased out of their house Jacquou and Marie return to La Tuilière. They then learn of Martin's death. Before dying of exhaustion and pain, Marie makes Jacquou swear to avenge his father.
Now 20 Jacquou is taken in by the parish priest of Bonnal who raises him as his son and tries to take away the hatred of his heart. Jacquou falls in love with Lina, Mathive's daughter.
Bonnal was forced to leave and was replaced by Villar. The shepherd La Ramée, a friend of Bonnal and Jacquou, is murdered by the Count's guard. Villar refused to say a mass. Outraged, the village revolted and Jacquou storms the church.
Jacquou is imprisoned by the Count in the castle's dungeons. Despair takes hold of Lina driving her to suicide. Jacquou manages to free himself. To avenge Lina's death and punish the Count for his crimes, he urges the village to rise up.
