Jan Troell′s classic film from the late 1960s tells the tale of Martensson is a schoolteacher in Malmo, in southern Sweden. Bitterly aware of his failure to communicate with his pupils, he nevertheless seems unable to bridge the gap between himself and his charges. Two of his students, Janne and Bengt in particular, are persistent troublemakers, and Martensson finds himself resorting to increasingly drastic measures in his efforts to control the youngsters. His wife despises him and cannot understand his difficulties. Only Anne-Marie, another teacher, offers any kind of sympathy. Martensson′s wife finally leaves him. The pupils become increasingly cruel in their behaviour toward him. One day, while Martensson is supervising a recess, one of the pupils is run over by a truck. This tragic event further increases the bitter animosity the student and the isolated teacher and results in even greater tragedy.