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Loosely based on a true story, this wrenching historical drama is filled with the filmmaker Sandor Sara's rage at the terrifying effects the Red Army invasion of the mid '40s had upon his country. Featuring graphic brutality, the story centers upon a single peasant family and begins as Peter returns home on a 24-hour furlough from the Hungarian army. Once there, his family pleads with him until he agrees to desert, and he hides when his troopmates come looking for him. Soon victorious Russian troops burst into the area and promptly pillage the farm. Later on, some of the Russians return to rape Peter's sisters. Peter uses his revolver to kill one of the soldiers and wound the other. Unfortunately, this brings the cruel Russian officer back to hold an informal tribunal, a proceeding that results in even more horrific tragedy.