Based on a famous fairytale by Yuri Olesha. A fairy tale film about the clever tightrope walker Tibule, who fights alongside the armorer Prospero and all the working people against the tyrants, the three Fat Men, who rule the state until the young heir Tutti comes of age. The freedom fighters are aided by the kind Dr. Gaspar and the brave acrobat girl Suok, who has to pretend to be a doll to sneak into the palace and free Prospero.

The movie takes place during Russia's civil war between the Reds (Bolsheviks) and the Whites (Mensheviks). Andrejka and Yarinka are a young betrothed couple in the village of Malinovka, caught between the battle lines. Gritsian is the leader of a Menshevik band who are planning to attack the village. Yarinka appeals to the local Bolshevik commander for his faction's help. The Bolsheviks quickly come up with a plan to save the village... but the plan requires Yarinka to enter into a pretend marriage with Gritsian.