Ignaz Wolz, for whom the world had been fine until the First World War, returns from it with hatred for the exploitative capitalist hierarchy and commences his own war a war against the rich. What he takes from them, he distributes generously to the poor. As a man of action he is not interested in programs or visions but in activity itself. His friend, Ludwig, tries unsuccessfully to steer this stormy anarchist towards revolutionary activity and stands by him when he is sentenced to lifelong imprisonment. Beautiful Agnes, who is in love with Ludwig, even marries the imprisoned Wolz so contact can be maintained to him. Wolz is released after seven years and is still not prepared to give up his radical position: there must be a country somewhere that needs fighters like him.