This drama with a criminal plot is a study of the intricately intertwined relationships of four people whose lives have been interrupted by the violent death of a loved one. The story begins almost classically: when a visitor rings the doorbell of a prominent scientist's villa, there is an explosion. The owner is found poisoned by gas in the demolished room. Everything suggests that he committed suicide. But then a major twist comes and the seemingly obvious suicide becomes a well thought out and carefully prepared crime...

The young Prince Charles (Jaromír Hanzlík), the future King of his country Charles IV, is being educated at the French court in the company of his fiancée Blanche (Daniela Kolárová). One day he receives a summons from his father John of Luxembourg (Milos Kopecký) in Italy. He leaves for Italy accompanied by a deputation from Bohemia. On the way the prince's company fights a battle with armed Milanese against heavy odds. Thanks to Charles's perspicacity, the prince's almost naked soldiers win through. In Lucca in Italy Charles joins his father, and here he experiences an amorous adventure and escapes from the traps laid by the Italian rebels.

Who wouldn't want to return to the limelight? Years ago, actress Slávka Hradilová was a movie star. Today, she is approaching 60 and the most she does is appear in commercials. But she still keeps in shape. She regularly meets with friends to help them solve their problems, enjoys her teenage granddaughter, but above all she longs to get a big role in front of the movie camera again. When one day she gets an offer with a script in hand, she beams and heads to the studios where she was once almost a queen. But it turns out that times have changed, and today's directors want something different from actors than routine gestures and flashy facial expressions. So the former star is in for a profound disappointment...

In late 19th century Czech-speaking Bohemia, oppressed workers at German-owned mines and foundries revolt against their harsh working conditions. Made shortly after World War II as Czechoslovakia was falling to communism, the film resonates in Czech resentment of the German occupation.

The year is 1918. Toník returns home from the front. In Kladno, where he arrives, things are seething with discontent. The Social Democrats are in government, but nothing has changed. Socialization has not been implemented, there is hunger and food is still being skimped on. The first news about a socialist state arrives from Russia. On May 1st, the workers' Kladno manifests its loyalty to the ideals of the Great October Socialist Revolution. In December 1920, a general strike is declared in Kladno as well. The workers arm themselves, workers' councils take over the administration of the city and are also established in the surrounding villages. An armed uprising is being prepared. However, the right-wing leadership of the Social Democratic Party attacks the workers in the back. The army is sent to Kladno...

The factory owner's son Oldřich missed his own wedding. He overdid his bachelor party and spent the night before the wedding in Mr. Šourek's carriage, who asked him in vain for his address. In the morning, the cabman went to the police for advice, but the passenger woke up and drove away with his carriage. He headed for his bride, but she was offended and threw him out. Oldřich also became hardened and declared that he would marry the first girl he met. The further development of events was ensured by Šourek's horse Karel, when he headed home, bringing Boženka, his master's daughter, to Oldřich's path. But she was not interested in the spoiled young man either. So Oldřich bet with her father that he would work hard for a month. If he won, he would win Boženka's hand, the cab, and the faithful Karel...

The happenings in a shoe factory serve as a not very thinly veiled examination of the pros and cons of both socialism and democracy.