The screen version of a rock opera of Alexey Rybnikov based on the play in Pavel Grushko's verses. Together with other inhabitants of a poor Chilean small village Joaquin Murrieta decides to move off to far California in gold searches. In way he meets the beautiful girl who becomes his wife. But happiness of lovers is short. Gold prospectors face maliciously and cruelty of Americans. The young girlfriend Joaquina perishes - and he takes up arms to revenge. However nothing can alleviate his suffering.