A descendant of a noble family takes the side of the proletariat, fighting against the mistreatment of factory owners and the oppresion from the Tsar during the 1905 revolution.

Small Polish village straight after WWII. Young man Zenek injured and awarded with Cross of Valour during partisan fight is torn between staying loyal to his partisan comrades (continuing their fight) and his own beliefs.

Zenon Ziembiewicz, a young, budding journalist, comes to his parents' manor house for a vacation. Here he enters into an affair with the lovely Justyna Bogutówna, the daughter of a cook. When the canicule comes to an end, Zenon packs his bags and leaves for Paris to study. Returning after a year with a doctorate in political science, he makes a fast and glamorous career. He becomes the editor-in-chief of the local newspaper and, soon after, mayor of the city. He also marries Elzbieta Biecka, but still does not break up with Justyna.

An American actress temporarily stops in Warsaw on her way to Japan, where she gets acquainted with the Polish writer.

During the 1920 Silesian uprising, seven brothers take part in the struggle with the Germans to keep the region in the Polish hands.

When it is discovered that the Zygmunt mine in Upper Silesia has been deemed unprofitable and is to be closed by flooding, the miners go on strike and a violent demonstration ensues.

A young sea rescuer tries to find his place in the difficult world of his work.

Young Poland period in Kraków before WWI. Young doctor Edward comes back from Paris and meets his friends belonging to artistic bohema.