A man is notified of his father's imminent death. He travels to his father in a remote Ukrainian village, recalling his childhood during the disastrous forced collectivization and artificial famine (Holodomor) of the 1930s by the Soviet regime. The film was heavily cut due to censorship by the Soviet Government.

Hearing about the revolution in the hospital, the sailor Gulyavin goes to Petrograd, and from there with a detachment of Ukrainian volunteers he is sent to Ukraine. The troop is joined by cavalrymen under the command of the anarchist Lelka. The chief of staff, Stroyev, reproaches Gulyavin with negligence - you cannot take an untested detachment. However, the desperate courage of Lelka in battle with the White Guards gives Gulyavin not only respect for her, but love...

David Motuzka, demobilized Red Army soldier, returns to his native village, hoping to see the changes caused by the revolutionary events. But he cannot see no improvement. The village is ruled by the kulaks and David's childhood friend Kornii Matiukha helps them.