Vladimir Visotsky starring in the film makes it attractive for the audience. The given adventure film is based on the real biographical facts of engineer-lieutenant Ibragim Gannibal, a ward of Peter I and Alexander Pushkin’s great grandfather.

Peter the Great takes a Russian man of African heritage - Ibrahim Petrovich Hannibal - under his wing as the tsar builds his grand navy. After having a disastrous affair in France, Ibrahim vows to never fall in love again, until he sees the daughter of a wealthy boyar. Peter the Great insists the two be married, but Ibrahim goes against the tsar"s wishes, refusing to force her to marry him since she doesn"t consent. When another man tries to marry her, however, Ibrahim"s loyalties and generous nature are put to the test.