The swift paced, action packed, humor filled adventure is ingeniously mixed with light-hearted acting bravado and memorable operetta pieces.

The leading roles — those of the cavalry maiden Shurochka Azarova and the dashing hussar Poruchik Dmitry Rzhevsky — were played by Andrei Mironov's future wife Larisa Golubkina and the People's Artist of the USSR Yuri Yakovlev, respectively.

Their first encounter occurs as Shura, dressed in a cornet’s uniform for a masquerade ball, overhears Rzhevsky's less-than-flattering account of their engagement.

However, after learning of her heroics, including rescuing a general from French captivity, Kutuzov awards her the Cross of St. George and allows her to retain her rank.

The film combines themes of patriotism, courage, and humor with a romantic subplot, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.