The film tells the story of rebellious peasant leader Pugacev, as seen through the eyes of Grinev, an aristocratic soldier. Their paths first cross when Grinev, on his way to the fortress of Belogorsk, gives a peasant a fur robe. As it happens, the man is Pugacev, who will later storm the fortress. Remembering his kindness, Pugacev allows Grinev to go unscathed,but he must leave his great love, captain's daughter Masha, in the hands of the traitors.