Based on a real story: Norwegian winter, 1915. On the island Bastøy Oslo, a set of younger boys aged 11 to 18, are kept in a institution for unmarried childhood, infamous because of its sadistic regimen. Erling, a new boy, arrives, chose to flee from the staircase, one day. After a tragic episode, he ultimately eventually ends up leading the boys in a violent uprising. 150 soldiers have been sent in to restore order when the boys manage to take over the island.