Based on war stories by Yuri German.
Alexander Lazarev, a former Red Army sergeant, finds himself in a German camp for prisoners of war. Lacking spirit, he agrees to collaborate with the Nazis. Later, regretting his cowardice, he joins a partisan detachment. There is a strong disagreement between the commander and the commissar of the detachment over Lazarev. Finally, the commander insists on giving Lazarev a chance: they will put him through the test in a reconnaissance operation scouting out the area roads.
The film was awarded the State Premium of the USSR (1988).