In 1956, Ferenc's search for his missing uncle leads him inadvertently to Agent Kóvacs of the Secret Police. Although released after hours of torture, he knows he has no choice; he must escape Hungary. In the regimented society of Communist countries, the young people entering university had advantages, but still it was amongst this group where the initial spark of dissention began. Fanning the flames is József, the first person to help Ferenc understand why his father abandoned him. On the twenty-third of October 1956, Ferenc sets aside his desire to escape as he joins József in the fight to bring the students' demands to the government. Ferenc and József charge forward as Budapest explodes and the people coalesce into an army of Freedom Fighters. Friends become enemies when József's fiancée, Eszter comes between the two men. Lurking in the shadows is Agent Kóvacs and once more Ferenc thinks about escaping, but love, honor and death draw him back until he is forced to make his final decision.