In the summer of 1942, the Soviet army is fighting the Germans on the Don River. Young lieutenant Ogarkov gets lost in the steppe and fails to deliver a redeployment order. For that, he is sentenced to death. Now, another soldier has to lead him across the steppes to his death.
Two young scientists are exploring new fields of nuclear physics. Dmitry Gusev and Ilya Kulikov are good friends, but rivals in love. Dmitry marries Lyolya and they live happily together. Luck has it that he makes an important discovery. Unfortunately he exposes himself to radioactivity during the experiments. As a result he falls seriously ill. However Dmitry has a strong spirit. His will to live, the deep passion for his work and his strong love for mankind makes it possible for him to recover.
In the center of the film - two lives, two destinies. A simple, illiterate soldier Vostrikov of the Tsar's Army during the years of Soviet power grew into a devoted fighter of the revolution, he became a general of the Soviet Army, respected by all. A guards officer, a brilliant prince Naschyokin, who fought against Soviet power, emigrated from his native country and eventually became a lackey in a port restaurant.
