Based on the trilogy of books by Anatoly Rybakov: "Deti Arbata", "Strakh", and "Prach I Pepel". The events circle the 1930's to 1940's. The film leads the viewer into the Kremlin offices, communal flats, university lecture halls and even into prison cells. The viewer also gets to feel what various aspects of life felt like, including Siberian village life, life in various Russian provinces and the tragic events of the breakout of World War II. The story's heroes are the simple lads and girls of the Moscow Arbat and the high-ranking powers: Stalin and his colleagues, workers, head's of scientific institutions and large contractors. The film lets you feel what life was like for these people, their lives and work and the enormous influence of war on the fate of the people.