1863. Etienne Lantier, who has been fired from a railway company for being involved in union activities, lands a miner`s job in the North of France. He finds bed and lodging at the Maheus`, all of whom being miners themselves and whose daughter Catherine proves susceptible to his charm.The work is hard, ill-paid and dangerous. When the miners hear their wages are going to be cut down they revolt, led by Lantier. The company decides to bring workers in replacement and the authorities repress the rebels ruthlessly.