Katie Tippel is a young woman who becomes embroiled in a series of hardships and injustices in 19th-century Netherlands. She endures poverty, workplace harassment, and the struggle for women's rights, all while trying to find her place in society.

Four inmates are ordered to enter an annual four day walking tournament. When they get over their initial annoyment, each one of them finds a way to take advantage of their time out of jail.

Petty criminal Bert Oliemans goes down for stealing jewellery from a former SS man. After his release he is constantly followed by police commissioner Van Houthem and a greedy gang leader, both out to get their hands on the stolen jewels.

The film is set in a signalman's house during the German occupation. When it turns out that the mother has committed adultery with a German, things start to go downhill for the father. Germans take over his land, and his children fend for themselves.