Veronika and Boris come together in Moscow shortly before World War II. Walking along the river, they watch cranes fly overhead, and promise to rendezvous before Boris leaves to fight. Boris misses the meeting and is off to the front lines, while Veronika waits patiently, sending letters faithfully. After her house is bombed, Veronika moves in with Boris' family, into the company of a cousin with his own intentions.
In August 1799, Russian troops under the command of A.V. Suvorov, having defeated the French in northern Italy, received an unexpected order. Instead of marching on Paris, they are ordered to go to the remote Swiss Alps, where there is a powerful and countless French army.
