In 19th century Wallachia war-bands of Ottoman Turks from across the Danube river raid Wallachia with impunity, while Wallachia's Phanariote rulers don't oppose them.
Mitrea Kocor, a young butler, gives up his work in the fields to join Antonescu's Romanian army, which fought alongside Nazi forces during World War II. After spending time in Soviet captivity and a prisoner-of-war camp, he returns to his home village to participate in post-war reconstruction.
