The first years of Poland’s rule in the Recovered Territories. Resembling the structure of a western, the film shows a community intimidated by a local gang and a devoted believer in and propagator of the idea of developing statehood on the regained lands.
Masuria, 1945. Lieutenant Bartkowiak, accompanied by two members of the Association of Fighting Youth (ZWM), is sent to a small town to build Polish culture in the Recovered Territories. On the spot he finds out that the local population is terrorized by a gang of Szczygieł and that the new president of the local council, Kukułka, was killed. Filip and Andrzej, the ZWM members, initially identify themselves with Szczygieł. Bartkowiak is supported by Jadwiga. An open fight starts which Bartkowiak finally wins. The funeral of president Kukułka and Andrzej from the ZWM turns into a great manifestation of the return of the recovered lands to Poland.
