During the Hungarian war of independence 1848-49 the widow of Kazmer Baradlay - who himself was a supporter of the Austrian Emperor resists the last wish of her late husband wishing his sons to become faithful Hungarians and happy men. She asks her eldest Odon to return from St. Petersburg and the others - Richard and Jeno from Vienna. The revolution of 1848 begins. Supported by their mother the sons join the revolutionary cause despite their fathers will.