The story takes place in Southern Norway around 1913 and follows Kamilla, a young girl who becomes an orphan.

However, upon her arrival, Kamilla is met with a cold reception from Ole’s wife, who dislikes children and insists on sending her away to a boarding school in Denmark.

Ole, whom thinks that his wife's suggestion is heartless, decides to reunite Kamilla with her older sister, Sofie, who works as a kitchen maid on a large estate in the countryside.

What Kamilla doesn’t realize, however, is that her heroic savior is a fugitive thief, on the run and constantly evading capture.

After the film's success it took only three weeks to secure investors for the sequel, Kamilla and the Thief II.