The film is based on a novella by the well-known Soviet writer who served at the front, Emmanuil Kazakevich "Two in the Steppe" and the war diaries of Konstantin Simonov.

Summer 1942, a young a communications officer accused of cowardliness is sentenced to death by firing squad. A surprise attack by the Germans delays the execution and the convict and his guard are forced to flee. While attempting to deliver the convict to headquarters a friendship develops between the guard and his captive as the two go through several adventures and battle the Germans.—chriso