This film recounts the real-life story of Carl Panzram, a notorious criminal and serial killer, who penned his life story for a prison guard in 1928. Throughout his life, Panzram was incarcerated and harbored deep-seated hatred, leading him to commit a series of vengeful acts, including over 20 murders and numerous violent assaults, during the early 20th century in America. Despite his violent past, a single compassionate gesture from guard Henry Lesser led to an unexpected friendship, inspiring Panzram to document his life in an autobiography. In 1930, Panzram was executed by hanging for the murder of a laundry foreman at Leavenworth prison.