Three Stars

The film consists of three loosely connected episodes and takes place in Hungary, during the last months of World War II.
Jancsó-episode: A sabotage takes place in the ammunition factory. The summary court sentences the culprit Márkus Imre to death, so the workers go on strike. Captain Szikszai promises him reprieve on the condition that he persuades his companions to commence working again. Márkus seemingly agrees, but in his speech he encourages workers to go on striking. He is shot on the spot.
Wiedermann-episode: Three Soviet soldiers (Mihail, Ványa and Jása) save and take care of the orphaned Miska. Fights are going on, the young woman in the neighbouring hamlet gives birth to a boy. She seeks to baptize him desperately, finally Mihail and his friends get a priest for her.
Várkonyi-episode: Budapest. Rehearsals are carried on in a feverish speed in the theatre, while fugitives are hidden in the cellar. Dr. Radó, who was set free from prison, also gets here. Mihail and his friends are the first to arrive in the cellar, the actors play for them while outside the battle is still raging. Dr. Radó saves the life of Mihail at the price of his own and two other soldiers die.
Closure: April the 4th, the 15th anniversary of the liberation of Budapest. Mihail, who arrives with the Soviet delegation, meets Miska, whom he saved, for the first time in many years. (official distributor synopsis)