In this three-part series, Nikolai Irteniev reminisces and reflects on his life; he is eager to find answers to the most important questions of life. "How to be? how to do the right thing? What goals to strive for?" Based on Lev Tolstoy's autobiographical trilogy.

The film tells about the founder of the first Russian peasant choir Mitrofan Efimovich Pyatnitskiy, about his life, tragic love and other facts of his biography. The picture reflects the musical life of Russia in the pre-revolutionary period.

In her teens, Mme. Zachanassian had to flee her home town in disgrace. Now she's old and rich and the town is facing bankruptcy. But she returns with news that she wants to help - as long as the townsfolk kill someone for her.