Plot synopsis:
An extremely dark tale of frustrated love and intrigue, resulting in murder by poisoning.

Grigory Gryaznoy, a member of Ivan the Terrible's bodyguard is in love with Marfa, daughter of a merchant named Sobakin. She, however, rejects his love as she has been promised to her childhood sweetheart, Ivan Lykov. Gryaznoy asks for a love potion to seduce Marfa. Lyubasha, who is in love with Gryaznoy, hears of his plans and, realising she has lost his love for good, decides to change the love potion into poison.

At Marfa and Lykov's engagement party, Gryaznoy offers the traditional bridal drink which has secretly been poisoned. At that moment, news arrives that the Tsar has chosen Marfa for his wife. Marfa falls ill, and the blame falls on Lykov, who is executed by Gryaznoy on the Tsar's orders. Marfa collapses unconscious, and Lyubasha admits to the poisoning. Gryaznoy stabs her and demands the worst possible punishment for himself.