A group of scientists is sent to the planet Arkanar to help the local civilization, which is in the Medieval phase of its own history, to find the right path to progress. Their task is a difficult one: they cannot interfere violently and in no case can they kill. The scientist Rumata tries to save the local intellectuals from their punishment and cannot avoid taking a position.
Former prisoners captured plane. But on the way there was a failure, and to alleviate the weight of the aircraft, they throw overboard box with three hostages. The hostages managed to land safely. Now they have to stick together. And around a foreign land with a strange unknown language.
Batov, the foreman of the steelworkers of one of the ural plants, is looking forward to waiting for Yuri’s son from the army - he dreams of showing him a new device, which he came up with the chief engineer Komarov. The son is returning, the device does not bother him - he wants to become an actor. Having failed in exams, the son of the honored team leader goes to the factory - and there he feels quite comfortable
