This film is based on the classic novel of the same name by writer Ivan Franko, one of the most famous figures of Ukrainian literature. It is set during the 1200s and the invasion of the medieval Ukrainian-Russian state of Rus' by Chengis Khan's Golden Horde. Due to its having been produced during the Soviet era, the story's aspect of class-conflict between the "heroic" peasantry and the "decadent" noble particularly emphasized here.

1922 year. Khakassia. Fields. Former red partisan Fedor Polyntsev is taking his family to Minusinsk. On the way, a wounded Khakassia youth-herder comes across. Trying to give him first aid, Fedor is captured by the relatives of the herder, who considered him guilty of injuring the young man.

Zakhar, a simple Kuban lad, is left by the bride right on the eve of the wedding. Together with friends who are also experiencing problems in relationships with girls, the guy is trying to get his beloved back. A new acquaintance, Zhenya, comes to the aid of Zakhar and the company, who opens everyone's eyes to how to solve their personal problems.