The movie describes proletarian life in the Czech Lands after World War I.
The Counter-Reformation period: Myslivec Machovec is forced by representatives of the Jesuit order to flee his home for his religious beliefs. His teenage children Helenka and Tomáš do not give up the faith and traditions of the Czech Brethren despite the increasing pressure.
The history of the rebellion of the brave Chody, led by Jan Sladký Kozina and Matěj Přibek, against the violent tyranny of the foreign nobleman Maximilian Lamminger of Albenreuth. Based on the novel of the same name by Alois Jirásek.