The White Ribbon

The tale begins with an elderly tailor reflecting on his past as a village schoolteacher in the fictional Protestant village of Eichwald, Northern Germany. His memories span from July 1913 to August 9, 1914, a period marked by strict moral codes and local power struggles.

In the village, the fervent pastor enforces a harsh moral regime during confirmation classes. His punishment method includes making the youth wear white ribbons to symbolize their lost innocence, creating a climate of fear and guilt among the children.

A devastating incident occurs when the pastor's son confesses to 'impure' actions. Instead of offering compassion, the pastor binds the boy’s hands to his bed each night, exemplifying the severe repercussions of moral transgressions in his household.

The village doctor, a caring figure towards his patients, harbors a dark side. He mistreats his housekeeper, the midwife, and becomes embroiled in abuse, casting shadows over his relationship with his family while creating a façade of compassion.

The baron, the lord of the manor, organizes harvest celebrations for the villagers, hoping to foster goodwill. However, when his son suffers a severe injury, the baron reacts by distancing himself from those offering support, including Eva.

The schoolteacher's relationship with Eva deepens, prompting him to ask her father for permission to marry her. However, her father's hesitance introduces a year-long waiting period, leaving both lovers in a state of uncertainty.

A series of unexplained tragedies befalls the village, beginning with the doctor’s devastating fall caused by a wire strung between trees. The calamities escalate as constructions around the baron’s estate deteriorate, leading to the accidental death of a farmer's wife.

During a festive occasion, the baron's young son, Sigi, mysteriously disappears. The subsequent search leads to his shocking discovery, bound and brutally beaten, which amplifies the already pervasive atmosphere of fear within the community.

In a moment of rebellion, the pastor's daughter frees his treasured parakeet, which later reappears cruelly treated. This act of defiance highlights the oppressive nature of the pastor's authority and the children's growing unrest.

The midwife attempts a desperate measure by borrowing a bicycle from the schoolteacher to report her son’s attacker to the police. This act reflects her desperation as her family also grapples with the shadows cast by the ongoing violence.

The doctor and his family mysteriously vanish from the village, leaving behind a note about closing his practice. Their abrupt exit further deepens the mistrust and fear as residents speculate about the dark events plaguing Eichwald.

Growing suspicions compel the schoolteacher to confront the pastor, accusing him of hiding the truth behind the village's tragedies. Enraged, the pastor threatens to expose the accusations, intensifying the already charged atmosphere.

As the village grapples with increasing turmoil, the atmosphere thickens with dread as the world edges toward war. The film closes dramatically, capturing the somber, tense atmosphere in the church during a service, emphasizing the community's fragility.

The narrative concludes with the schoolteacher being drafted into World War I, symbolizing a definitive loss of innocence for him and the village. His departure marks both a physical and emotional severance from Eichwald, foreshadowing the darkness ahead.