The creators of the film managed to convey national Ukrainian color and to recreate the magical, fantastic atmosphere peculiar to works of the writer.
On a hot August day, a messenger sends the Cossack to the capital with the diploma, meant for the queen, tucked away under his hat.
During a break in their journey, the new friend told the Cossack that he sold his soul to a devil and waits for payment.
As the night darkened, the place they rested grew progressively as the devil came, took away the cossack's horse, and the queen's diploma with her.
Soon the Cossack found himself in the presence of many minor devil spirits and the evil witch-like entity who was controlling them.