Žalakevičius, actor Donatas Banionis, and cinematographer Jonas Gricius were awarded USSR State Prize for the film in 1967.

Set in 1947, during the establishment of Soviet authority in Lithuania, the story takes place in a rural village torn by postwar struggles.

Residents face difficult choices, caught between supporting Soviet rule or the resistance led by the Forest Brothers.

The Lokis brothers, determined to defend their home and ideals, successfully repel the attack, defeating the assailants.

[6] However, as it was created during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the film remains controversial due to its ideological portrayal of important historical events.