Inspired by the life of Varvara Asenkova, a 19th-century actress who earned great acclaim on St. Petersburg stage before her death at the age of 24.

In the first days of the Second World War, a young woman with three children is evacuated from the front-line zone to the Urals. After some time, she receives a funeral for her husband. But she has her little sons with her. The eldest son Kolya becomes a reliable assistant to his mother.

A superb Russian art film transcribed from Tchaikovsky's great opera. The photography, the acting, the sets and costumes are very artistically done. There are not enough opera films set in real locations as this one is. Some people may object to the singers' voices being dubbed over non-operatic actors, but the lead actors are so beautiful and convincing that their presence adds greatly to the romantic atmosphere -- this film would not be the same without them. If you love Tchaikovsky's music then you will love this film. Roman Tikhominov directed two other excellent opera films set in real locations (not stage performances): Queen of Spades (1960) and Prince Igor (1970), but Eugene Onegin (1958) is the best of all.