In July 1942, in the Second World War, the rearguard of the Russian army protects the bridgehead of the Don River against the German army while the retreating Russian troops cross the bridge. While they move back to the Russian territory through the countryside, the soldiers show their companionship, sentiments, fears and heroism to defend their motherland.

Piotr Lopakhin

pvt. Nikolay Strel'tsov

pvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev

pvt. Nekrasov

pvt. Alexander Kopytovsky

sergeant Poprischenko

lieutenant Goloschyokov

Natalya Stepanovna

surgeon

Glasha

corporal Kochetygov

nurse

cook lisichenko

author's narration

Colonel Marchenko

head nurse

old Cossack woman

Luka Mikhalych

soldier Akim Borzykh
November 5, 1975

Piotr Lopakhin

pvt. Nikolay Strel'tsov

pvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev

pvt. Nekrasov

pvt. Alexander Kopytovsky

sergeant Poprischenko

lieutenant Goloschyokov

Natalya Stepanovna

surgeon

Glasha

corporal Kochetygov

nurse

cook lisichenko

author's narration

Colonel Marchenko

head nurse

old Cossack woman

Luka Mikhalych

soldier Akim Borzykh

