Štefan Šafárik

A family saga taking place mostly in a small Slovak village over a period of thirty years (1887–1917). The first part captures the life of Martin Pichandu in the development of his craft, masonry; in the second part, his son is center stage living in a period of socio-political crisis, which ultimately results in the first World War. After originally airing on Czechoslovakian television in 1983 as a four-part 226-minute mini-series, this production received a 163-minute theatrical release in 1984.

In the royal castle, Prince Matthias feels like a prisoner. His father forces him to get engaged to Princess Beatrix, whom he does not love. Matthias takes advantage of a chance encounter with the rogue Tomas, who is his identical double. The boys swap clothes and agree to try on each other's lives for a day. In the morning, Matej is wrongly accused of theft and imprisoned. Tomas has to stay in the castle and although he tries to convince the king that he is not the true prince, no one believes him. The two boys must face a world they have never known before, grow up and learn to take responsibility for their decisions. Their reward will be that they both find true love.

In a small community around 400 years ago, Esben (Juraj Hrcka) has to flee when his mother is tried and burnt as a witch as a result of the cruel hysteria of the townsfolk. Finding shelter with the hermit Hans (Peter Staník), a friendship grows between the two, as Hans teaches Esben how to survive secluded from the rest of mankind, and introduces him to the secrets of medicine. But when Hans himself is taken, Esben is forced to flee again...