幼年時期因日軍的侵台而飽受家破人亡之苦的廖添丁，懷著台灣人勇往直前、不認輸的精神，在江湖上行俠仗義。途中結識了好友紅龜與其一同展開劫富濟貧的事蹟，以及與初戀情人的短暫而淒美的愛情故事。

侠盗"廖添丁(林志颖饰)是台湾家喻户晓的传奇英雄.本片主要描述的是他生前的传奇故事.廖添丁行侠仗义,处死日寇凶犯以祭先师;他劫富济贫,常常暗中救济黎民百姓;他惩恶扬善,对恶势力决不轻饶;他侠骨柔肠,为救出自己心上人而独闯"龙潭";他疾恶如仇,令日本侵略者望风披靡 ...被誉为黑暗年代的"台湾魂"

After Japanese soldiers kill 12-year-old Ten-din's (Shiao Sheih Long) mother during an invasion, Ten-din must hide in order to save his own life. He takes refuge with a Peking opera company, where he perfects his fighting skills and turns into a kung fu expert. He later uses his skills to help those in need, by robbing the rich to help the poor. When Ten-din's actions are discovered, a group is sent out to intercept him and his friend Ying.