Russian Empire, 19th century. Poor Nykanor leaves his village and becomes a miner in the Donbas. His son Ostap also becomes a miner and works in the mine for thirty years, but after his father's sudden dismissal, he realizes that the state system needs radical changes.

The picture compares the fate of two heroines Anna and her lively and energetic sister-in-law Vasilisa, who openly defies the old way of life.

Since childhood, Gulya Korolyova cultivated willpower, the ability to overcome difficulties, and reach her heights. The main test of her short life was the war. In the Battle of Stalingrad, under fire, Gulya carried out wounded soldiers and, being wounded herself, found the strength to lead the detachment on the offensive. She took her fourth height, which became her last.

A young boy learns to be brave after being sent to a pioneer camp.

About children's participation in the fight against kulaks.

Little dog Kashtanka is stolen, sold, tossed out into the street and saved by a clown. Young Fedyushka gets lost looking for the dog and ends up a prisoner of the sinister Mazamet who compels him to rove from house to house to make money, while Fedyushka’s father wanders through the streets in search of his lost child.