The Promised Land

Captain Ludvig Kahlen retires after 25 years in the German Army with a meager pension. He secures permission from the Royal Danish Court to build a settlement on the barren Jutland moorland. He hopes to cultivate land and, in return, receives the promise of a noble title and a manor.

Local magistrate Frederik Schinkel does his best to starve Kahlen of workers to block his plan. Kahlen secretly hires and hides Johannes Eriksen and his wife Ann Barbara, two of Schinkel's indentured serf farmers who fled mistreatment. He also recruits Tatere Romani Travellers, despite it being illegal.

At a harvest ball Edel Helene meets Kahlen in secrecy and they share a kiss. They agree that if Kahlen can gain a noble title within a year, they will marry. This exchange offers Edel a way to escape an arranged match with her cousin.

Towards the end of the ball, Schinkel reveals he has recaptured Johannes. The escaped serf is tortured to death with boiling water in front of the guests. Kahlen carries Johannes' body back to his wife, while the Travellers leave, but Anmai stays behind.

Despite the brutal winter, Ann and Anmai help Kahlen plant the potatoes brought from Germany. They harvest 80 sacks and begin an unofficial, makeshift family with Kahlen. Kahlen and Ann enter into a sexual relationship.

When the King learns of the harvest's success, he orders a settlement to be established on Kahlen's estate. Kahlen is conferred the title of Royal Surveyor and 50 settlers from Northern Germany are sent. Anmai remains in the shadows, watching but staying out of sight.

The superstitious settlers are wary of Anmai, who hides but learns to read and survey from Kahlen. Anmai manages to stay with the settlement despite prejudice. Her presence slowly becomes essential to planning.

Schinkel imports convicts to attack the new settlement, killing two settlers and half of the livestock. Kahlen and a small group of settlers retaliate, killing the attackers but are forced to ask Anmai to leave. This betrayal also causes Ann to depart.

Preisler, Schinkel's officer, witnesses the killings and flees. Schinkel and other estate owners report to the king's cabinet, which leads to Kahlen's arrest. The report shifts power toward Schinkel and his allies.

While Kahlen endures torture at Schinkel's estate, Ann sneaks in and prepares a poisoned drink. Edel leads Schinkel into drinking it, incapacitating him. Ann then stabs Schinkel in the stomach and castrates him.

Butler Bondo clarifies everything to the king's cabinet; Kahlen is released. Ann is imprisoned for life, and Edel returns to Norway. The political fallout reshapes the settlement's future.

Kahlen locates Anmai and promises to take care of her. They begin living on the farm together, with Ann nearby. The trio forms a fragile, unofficial family amid the unsettled community.

Years later an officer informs Kahlen that he is granted the title of baron and that 400 new settlers will arrive. Before that happens, Anmai leaves with a group of Romani travellers. Kahlen's title is annulled; he frees Ann from a travelling prisoner cart, and they ride a horse toward the sea.