In a 19th century France marked by oppression and misery, a young miner named Étienne Lantier arrives in a post-industrial town where life is a constant struggle. The mine, which represents both a source of employment and the condemnation of the workers, becomes the backdrop for their hopes and disappointments. Disillusioned by the exploitation and injustice faced by the miners and their families, Étienne begins to question the system that keeps them in poverty.
Driven by a sense of injustice, he becomes a charismatic leader who organizes his coworkers to demand better working conditions. As tensions rise, the miners, empowered by Étienne’s voice, unite in a desperate fight for their rights. Strikes and repression trigger a series of events that transform the community; however, each step towards freedom carries deep sacrifices.
Amidst the labor conflicts and Étienne's growing love for Catherine, the daughter of a miner, the film portrays the struggle for human dignity and resistance in the face of adversity. As the miners confront the brutality of their oppressors, they find themselves at a turning point that could change their lives forever. This heart-wrenching story illustrates the price of the fight for justice and the necessity of solidarity in times of crisis.