Geierwally, who earned her name through a bitter fight with a bird of prey, refuses to marry Vinzenz, the heir apparent assigned to her by her father, and lives a secluded life in a mountain hut. Her love for Bärenjosef seems hopeless, especially since he knows nothing of Wally's love. She becomes increasingly isolated, becomes the laughing stock of the village, and misunderstandings arise because Bärenjosef's sister Afra is mistakenly regarded as his “girlfriend.” Wally then decides that she would rather have Josef dead than not at all...
