In June 1789 in the town of Roussillon, aristocrat Guillaume de Saint Preux leads a double life as a masked bandit known as the Black Tulip.

While the impersonation goes well at first, Julien is shocked to discover that Guillaume robs aristocrats for the thrill and the money, not for political reasons.

When Baron La Mouche feels that there may be a connection between Guillaume de Saint Preux and the masked hero, he has Julien imprisoned.

The original Black Tulip rescues him, but while Julien escapes, his brother is caught in the act and soon afterwards, executed.

[a] In total, the film sold 54,885,512 tickets worldwide, grossing an estimated $15.3 million in France and the Soviet Union.