1830s, Moldavia. The groom Todor fell in love with his master's maid, Yustinia. Having found himself in hard labor, Todor organized an escape and, with a group of like-minded people, took refuge in the codry. So, under the leadership of Ataman Todor Tobultok, the Moldavian rebels, who called themselves haiduks, began to fight against the tyranny of the landowners.