Adhering close to the book, the story begins in 19th-century Russia and centers on an idealistic student who believes his intellectual superiority gives him the right to commit any crime, even murder, with impunity if he believes it will improve society. So convinced is he of this notion that the student coldly murders a crooked pawnbroker and her sister (who is innocent). But as years pass, and he learns more about life, his arrogance is replaced by an agonizing, relentless guilt that threatens to destroy him... (All Movie Guide)