Princess Mariya fell in love with doctor Toporkov, who was treating her, in the recent past the serf of her family. Now he has become a celebrity and is only concerned about buying a new home profitably. He does not notice her love and marries a rich merchant. The princess in love comes to see Toporkov and opens to him. Her strong feeling touches Toporkov’s hardened heart, he leaves his wife and leaves the princess abroad.

In the center of the film - two lives, two destinies. A simple, illiterate soldier Vostrikov of the Tsar's Army during the years of Soviet power grew into a devoted fighter of the revolution, he became a general of the Soviet Army, respected by all. A guards officer, a brilliant prince Naschyokin, who fought against Soviet power, emigrated from his native country and eventually became a lackey in a port restaurant.

Film-opera based on Tschaikovsky's adaptation of Gogol's story, 'Noch' pyered Rozhdestvom.'