Tells two tales set during WWII: A seemingly feckless and selfish man finally takes up arms in the national struggle against the Nazis. Set in a POW camp, Polish inmates cling to their hopes for an eventual escape, encouraged by the legendary escape of one of their own.

Edward Dziewońskias Dzidziuś Górkiewicz (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Józef Nowakas Lt. Kurzawa (segment "Ostinato Lugubre")
Barbara Połomskaas Zosia (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Ignacy Machowskias Major (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Leon Niemczykas Lt. Istvan Kolya (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Kazimierz Opalińskias Polish Commandant (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Zofia Czerwińskaas Lula 'Jagódka' (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Jerzy Felczyńskias Hungarian Officer (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Roman Hubczenkoas (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")
Zygmunt Listkiewiczas (segment "Scherzo alla Polacca")