The overall plot is wholly subsumed by the images of the way of life in northern Scandinavia and on many levels the film operates as a documentary.

Dr Nils Ahlen, working at the "Institute of Technical Research", is about to leave his home to give a talk at Uppsala University on his new invention and he discusses arrangements for his absence with his assistant, Sven Nystrom.

When played back, the discs release enough power to fuel a small town or "propel a rocket or flying bomb across the Atlantic".

Ahlen, however, soon becomes impatient with the attitude of police inspector Peterson and, having established that his assistant Nystom is also missing, begins an investigation of his own.

The pair are obviously heading north for the border with Finland in Swedish Lapland, presumably to take the invention to the Soviet Union, although this is never made explicit.

Nystrom and Helga have hired three Sami as guides, while Ahlen and Peterson join a large family group who are taking their reindeer across the border.

Nystrom and Helga lay a false trail which leads Ahlen's group over a cliff, destroying their reindeer herd.

Before any plan can be made, however, Nystrom takes matters into his own hands, and he and Helga attempt to escape by crossing the mountains above the village.

Peterson and Ahlen try to persuade Nystrom to turn back but he fires at them, starting an avalanche which kills the fugitives but spares the village.

The locals reflect that they have been needlessly living in fear for generations and Ahlen and Niemann are free to enjoy their newfound love.