Synopsis
The story unfolds in 1946, the first year after World War 2. Crime and corruption were also rampant, and the country's law enforcement resources were stretched to the limits to protect state-owned and public property, including food crops. Severe punishments were introduced by the authorities, including prison sentences of up to ten years and even execution by firing squad.
Captain Ignat Belov (played by Kirill Safonov) is on his way home after the end of his military service. On the train he meets Sych (Konstantin Gatsalov), a criminal whom he has known since childhood. Many years ago the young Sych and his juvenile accomplices had involved little Ignat in a robbery at a food warehouse. On that occasion, Ignat saved Sych from capture, but soon afterwards the boys went their separate ways. Sych is glad to see Ignat again and offers him the chance to take part in another risky job, but this time Ignat refuses. But suspecting that his “pal” has some plan on his mind, Ignat decides to become involved in another way. However, his unauthorised and uncoordinated initiative ends up in his arrest.
Crime Investigation Department Chief Timoshenko (Konstantin Molovanov), Ignat’s comrade-in-arms, comes to his aid. He offers to help Ignat, but only on condition that Ignat will try to penetrate a dangerous gang under the control of crime boss, Gorely (Maksim Drozd) using his old “friend” Sych to liquidate it. In return, Ignat will receive a pardon and be free to return to normal life. Ignat accepts the proposition. Together with Timoshenko, they arrange Ignat’s escape from prison to give him a good cover story. Ignat settles in town to live in a shared apartment where he meets beautiful young violin player, Viola (Ieva Andrejevaite) and Sashka (Alesia Guzko), a very go-ahead young woman, whom Ignat at first takes to be a boy. These two will become part of Ignat’s real family. But before this can happen, Ignat will have to go along a dangerous path before he at last gets to Gorely. And at this point a big surprise is waiting for him.