The story of a man (Andrey Sokolov) whose life was ruthlessly crippled by World War II. His wife and daughter were killed during the bombing of his village, he spent some time as a prisoner, and his only son was killed in action only a few days before the victory...

While waiting with a young boy for a ferry across the Don, Andrey Sokolov relates the story of his life to a chance acquaintance: After the revolution, Sokolov, who had been a member of the Red Army, marries Irina, and they have three children. The family's happiness is interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and Andrey is mobilized as a truckdriver. As he carries ammunition to the front lines, his truck is hit by a bomb, and he is taken prisoner. Many of his fellow prisoners succumb to Nazi atrocities, but Andrey survives by thinking of his family. He escapes and eludes his captors for 3 days, but he is hunted with dogs and finally recaptured. At another camp his defiant remarks are overheard, and he is taken before the Nazi commandant, who offers him a drink before executing him. Andrey refuses to toast the Germans and instead drinks in honor of his own death. The commandant, impressed by Andrey's drinking ability, spares him. Later Andrey is assigned as a driver to a German major. Thus provided with another escape opportunity, he delivers the major, who is carrying secret documents, to the Russian front. After a stay in a military hospital, Andrey is given leave to return to his home in Voronezh. Here he learns that his wife and two daughters have been killed and his home destroyed during a bombing raid. On V-E Day, he learns that his son, a decorated officer, has been killed at the front. Driven from Voronezh by grief, Andrey moves to Uryupinsk and works as a truckdriver. One day he meets a homeless orphan boy, Vanyushka, who wanders about the streets dressed in tatters. Andrey's heart goes out to the sad-eyed child, and he claims to be the boy's father, giving them both a reason to start life anew.