In turbulent 1945, the talented and non-Communist military doctor, Andrzej Kwiatkowski, receives a generous one-week leave of absence by a grateful patient and colonel in the UB: the Polish Intelligence Service. Surrounded by the ruins of a battle-scarred Warsaw, Andrzej falls head-over-heels in love with his beautiful neighbour, Krysia--and after a romantic dinner in the city's surviving hotel, and an argument with an inebriated Russian officer--the cornered surgeon summons up the courage to impersonate the high-ranking government official. Now, with the aid of Krysia and his old friend from the army, Dudek, the compassionate impostor embarks on a dangerous mission to save as many innocent prisoners as possible. However, how long can Colonel Kwiatkowski maintain the charade?