In a secluded Austrian mountain village in the early 18th century, local witchfinder Albino (Reggie Nalder) and his lieutenant, Advocato (Johannes Buzalski), rule through systematic fear, torture, and execution. Women who catch their fancy are raped and then summarily sentenced to death, and any man who opposes them is either threatened with torture or killed outright. This all changes, however, when young Count Christian von Meruh (Udo Kier) and the attending Executioner (Herbert Fux) arrive bearing a proclamation. This paves the way for the much exalted Lord Cumberland (Herbert Lom), the only chosen witch finder with absolute authority from the country's reigning Prince. Albino initially resists this change, then attempts to ally himself with Christian, promising all the buxom females he desires. Upon being flatly rejected, Albino makes it a point to accuse and imprison the local bar wench, Vanessa (Olivera Vuco), for whom Christian has shown a sudden liking. Surely Lord Cumberland, upon his arrival, will sort this matter and properly punish Albino. Christian bears a staunch loyalty, admiration and awe for the Lord, clearly serving as the pupil to Cumberland who, by decree of the Church, ferrets out and executes confessed witches. His esteem for the master witch finder takes a severe blow when Cumberland agrees that Vanessa is likely a witch. Further, Christian becomes further aware that all is not well with his mentor when Cumberland sentences young Baron Daume (Michael Maien) to torture and eventual death unless he agrees to surrender his inherited land and riches to the Church. With his thoughts and emotions in a swirl, Christian must work fast to save the Baron, free Vanessa, and confront the hypocritical Cumberland.
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