In 19th century Russia, a pair of lovers risk their lives by defying the tzar. Based loosely on true events, \"Vaninka\" takes place during the reign of Paul I. The lady of the title is a general\'s daughter, who is due to be married, in a match approved of by the tzar. But Vaninka has fallen for another man—an officer under her father\'s command. The pair\'s illicit romance sets in motion a dark tale of death and dangerous secrets. One of Alexandre Dumas\' \"Celebrated Crimes\", \"Vaninka\" is in the tradition of great tragic love stories, from \"Romeo and Juliet\" to \"Wuthering Heights\".