The gypsy parents of a child are condemned by Viscount de Montagne and hanged before his eyes. The boy swears revenge. Sheltered by Gitano, the boy grows into the mesmerizing charlatan Joseph Balsamo peddling an elixir of life. Realizing that his hypnotic powers enable him to manipulate an individual’s thoughts and behavior, Balsamo changes his name to Count Cagliostro and tours Europe promoting himself as an all-powerful healer.