年仅十岁的富绅小少爷“大丈夫”（郝勇 饰）生性顽皮，不服管教。为使其收心敛性，父母替他娶了一个二十多岁的媳妇（张小燕 饰）。媳妇武艺高强，管教甚严，这可苦坏了散漫惯的大丈夫，遂找准机会，逃离家门。 时逢清朝末年，国家动荡不安，朝廷腐败，烽烟四起。天地会以“反清复明”为宗旨，带领起义民众反抗清朝的高压统治。后因内奸告密，总舵遭到突袭，兄弟死伤无数。总舵主之子在黄婆婆的护送下藏匿江边小城。大丈夫偶然机会救下黄婆婆，从此立志加入天地会，永不回家。谁想朝廷派出大内高手，一路追杀天地会遗孤，黄婆婆更被高手所害。失去庇护的孩子们手足无措，命运多舛……

The film opens in a 19th century river town under lockdown by government troops. Word has reached the emperor that a band of rebels have hidden their families, including the leader’s son Erh Mao, in the town. Rebel supporters are spiriting the children to a boat that will take them to safety.