Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Post-War Transition
The protagonists return from the Far East and settle into civilian roles at an aviation factory. Viktor and Yevgeny begin engineering work while Alexei steps into high-risk flight testing.
Key Events
-
Post-War Return — The trio returns from the Far East war and begins civilian transition.
Location: Soviet Union
-
Factory Assignment — Viktor and Yevgeny secure positions as designer and engineer.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Pilot Selection — Alexei volunteers to become a test pilot for new jet technology.
Location: Military Base
-
Design Phase Begins — The engineering team starts drafting blueprints for advanced aircraft.
Location: Aviation Factory
Design and Development
The team collaborates intensively to master MiG jet technology and draft new aircraft blueprints. Professional synergy drives progress despite underlying personal tensions.
Key Events
-
Design Phase Begins — The engineering team starts drafting blueprints for advanced aircraft.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Engineering Collaboration — Designers and pilots align their efforts for jet development.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Marital Strain — Post-war pressures create distance between Viktor and his wife.
Location: Home
-
Hospital Past Revealed — Flashback reveals the wife nursed the wounded man during wartime.
Location: Hospital
Personal Turmoil
Viktor's marriage collapses as his wife leaves him for a wounded man she once nursed. Simultaneously, Alexei's dangerous career choices begin fracturing his own family.
Key Events
-
Affair Emerges — The wife reconnects with the wounded man, sparking a new romance.
Location: Hospital
-
Viktor's Abandonment — Viktor's wife leaves him, ending their marriage.
Location: Home
-
Jet Development Progress — The team advances the aircraft design despite personal turmoil.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Flight Testing Begins — Alexei conducts initial high-risk test flights.
Location: Airfield
Flight and Resolution
The team pushes through technical hurdles to complete a critical test flight. Yevgeny maintains domestic stability while the nation celebrates the aviation breakthrough.
Key Events
-
Alexei's Family Crisis — Alexei's dangerous mission schedule fractures his domestic life.
Location: Home
-
Technological Breakthrough — Critical engineering adjustments solve major jet stability issues.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Yevgeny's Stable Home — Yevgeny maintains a peaceful household amid professional chaos.
Location: Home
-
Final Flight Preparation — The team prepares for the definitive test mission.
Location: Airfield
-
Critical Test Flight — Alexei pushes the prototype to its absolute limits.
Location: Sky
-
Mission Success — The flight concludes safely, validating the new technology.
Location: Airfield
-
Legacy of Innovation — The trio reflects on their contributions to Soviet aviation.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Viktor's Solitude — Viktor accepts his solitary path after marital loss.
Location: Home
-
Alexei's Guilt — Alexei grapples with the irreversible damage to his family.
Location: Home
-
National Pride Moment — The successful jet becomes a symbol of post-war recovery.
Location: Aviation Factory
-
Epilogue Reflection — The film closes on the enduring impact of their sacrifices.
Location: Aviation Factory
The plot begins in the Soviet Union showing first efforts to establish the Czechoslovak legion in 1942. The film also shows the assassination of Heydrich and the subsequent annihilation of Lidice. The main topis of the film is battles with German troops for Sokolovo.
