Love story against the background of the fall of the Wall. On New Year’s Eve 1989 Maria’s ex-husband turns up on her doorstep. She lives in Rotterdam now and he has just fled crumbling Communism in their homeland. A long flashback makes it clear why he is not welcomed with open arms.

When a band of robbers menaces the realm, the Duke of the Winter Castle sends his enchanted, crystal-tipped sword to his friend Matěj the blacksmith for sharpening, only for the magical gem to vanish without a trace. As Matěj joins the Duke’s campaign to reclaim the blade, the Duke’s daughter Johanka and a spiteful curse from the smith’s heartbroken wife threaten to derail their quest and doom the kingdom.

Famed outlaw Lotrando sends his son to a strict Catholic boarding school to learn manners, but the boy becomes too polite to lead the band. When they inadvertently arrive in a sultanate where the princess Zubeida lies gravely ill and are mistaken for physicians, father and son must overcome their inexperience and imposture to heal her and save the realm.

A professor reunites with an old friend who inspires him to return to Czechoslovakia for the first time since he emigrated years ago.