Awards : Prix Staline de degré I pour le réalisateur Igor Savtchenko, l'opérateur Youri Ekeltchik, et l'acteur Nikolaï Mordvinov.
Plot synopsis
The action takes place in 1648, when Ukraine is occupied by Poland. Bogdan Khmelnitsky, hetman of the Zaparogian regiment, forms an army to defend the homeland. Detachments of rebellious peasants, led by Maksim Krivonos, join him. The first battle takes place at Joltye Vody. The Cossack Tur is sent on a mission to the Poles. He is tortured and dies from his tortures. Before dying, he gives false information about the position of the hetman's troops. The Polish forces retreat to the Korsun fortress but are defeated and Bogdan enters Kiev as a victor. In a cabaret, Bogdan's wife, Elena, is poisoned. Bogdan himself is spared thanks to Gavrila who drinks the poison in his place.
