The material for the film was a unique photograph of the Kexholm regiment, taken in 1903. A photographic plate 65 by 110 cm (more than 1000 people in the frame) made it possible to clearly reproduce both entire groups and individual faces of soldiers. All filmed in one shot. The counterpoint to the image is fragments of letters and memoirs of soldiers and officers of the pre-revolutionary army. At all times, for the Russian soldier, the main principles were love for the Motherland, loyalty to the oath, and sacrifice.