[1][2][3] In 1921, Rie, daughter of a simple carriage driver, is introduced as a maid into the household of tyrannic company commander Kito, his two sons Ichiroji and Gojiro and his sickly wife.
Following his wife's death, Kito is forced to marry Rie, who expects a child after he raped her.
One after another, Kito's sons follow in the family tradition and start a military career, although Yoshitoshi only reluctantly so.
One year after the end of World War II, Kito and Rie live alone in the deserted family mansion.
Stepbrothers received the Grand Prix at the 1958 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, sharing it with And Quiet Flows the Don.