In the 16th century in the Cévennes, a horse dealer by the name of Michael Kohlhaas leads a happy and prosperous family life. When a lord treats him unjustly, this pious, upstanding man raises an army and puts the country to fire and sword in order to have his rights restored.
Dogs are let loose on assailants who quickly close a door and subsequently shoot the dogs with crossbows through the bars. Nothing can be seen but men shooting crossbows, the dogs can be heard whimpering.