Based on the play of the same name by M. Saltykov-Shchedrin. A young liberal-minded official named Bobyrev arrives in St. Petersburg from the provinces. He hopes to build a career under the patronage of his former schoolmate Klaverov, who has become a general. The general gladly assigns Bobyrev to his office and is already making plans to use Bobyrev’s beautiful wife, Sofia, to wage a successful campaign against his opponents and influence the pleasure-seeking Minister Tarakanov...