Jiří Šindelář

During the Thirty Years' War, ploughman Petr, recruiter Matěj and country girl Lenka are caught up in both sides of the war and experience many adventures before they find happiness.

Viktor Mezek, a respected mentor to apprentices, invites his orphaned apprentice Laco for Christmas when his relationship with Hana falters. After the holidays, Laco is taunted over rumors of a homosexual relationship with Mezek and beats a fellow apprentice, risking expulsion, then disappears. Mezek searches the town, his son meanwhile visits and Hana shows them old home footage, until Viktor locates Laco hitchhiking and tries to stop him.