Valley of the Eagles

Dr Nils Ahlen plans to travel to Uppsala University to give a demonstration of his energy storing device. He discusses arrangements for his absence with his assistant Sven Nystrom, who intends to work from home. Ahlen also shows Nystrom the hidden key to the laboratory, noting it is kept just in case.

At Uppsala University, Ahlen's demonstration reveals a device that stores enormous energy on barium discs and releases power to fuel a town or propel a vehicle. The audience, including a Swedish Army colonel, sees the potential for military use. The army quickly presses for the exact specifications by yesterday.

Returning from Uppsala, Ahlen finds his apartment disturbed and discovers that his wife Helga and the laboratory key are missing. A search reveals that vital components of the recorder have been stolen. He reports the incident to the police and the institute's head, sparking an official investigation.

Impatient with the police's slow approach and with Nystrom also missing, Ahlen starts his own inquiry. He traces leads beyond the institute and soon travels to engage with others connected to the missing assistant. This marks a turn from official channels to an independent pursuit.

Ahlen's quest leads him to Karlstad, where he encounters Baroness Erland and learns that Nystrom has been in correspondence with her. Erland denies knowledge of Nystrom, though she matches the pattern of a frequent visitor Nystrom had. As Ahlen leaves, Erland's servant mentions she has a call from Leksand, hinting at further clues.

Police inspector Peterson traces the trail to Erland and teams up with Ahlen. They learn that a plane has been forced to land at Leksand and that Nystrom and Helga are on board. The pair then head north toward the border in an apparent attempt to take the invention to the Soviet Union.

The pursuit splits into separate paths as both groups race for the border. A blizzard erupts, making the journey treacherous, and Ahlen wonders who among them is justified in their methods. The harsh weather heightens the stakes as the chase moves into Sami territory.

Nystrom and Helga hire three Sámi guides while Ahlen and Peterson join a large family group crossing reindeer across the border. The Sámi leader Anders initially distrusts the outsiders but supports Ahlen and Peterson. The encounter reveals cultural tensions as outsiders arrive.

Nystrom and Helga lay a false trail that leads Ahlen's group over a cliff, destroying their reindeer herd. Anders, the Sámi leader, dies by his own hand, leaving the group fractured. Ahlen grows close to Kara Niemann, Anders' granddaughter, and a romance begins.

The survivors are brought to the eagle hunters' village in the hidden valley, a sanctuary guarded against avalanches by eagle hunters. The valley remains under threat from the mountains, shaping the community's life. Nystrom and Helga are placed under arrest there.

In a tense confrontation, Helga reveals her loneliness and frustration and mocks Ahlen for caring more about glass tubes than people. Ahlen expresses guilt and pleads with Peterson to release Helga and Nystrom, but the inspector remains unmoved, suggesting that a blind eye might be possible but is not granted.

Nystrom and Helga attempt to escape by crossing the mountains, pursued by the local people on their eagles. Nystrom fires on the pursuing group, triggering an avalanche that kills the fugitives but spares the village. In the aftermath, Ahlen and Kara Niemann are free to pursue their new romance.