A strong military people with no nation, the Cossacks were practiced fighters who defended their freedom in exploits that are the stuff of Legend. Bohdan Khmelnytsky, powerful leader of the Ukrainian Cossacks in the 17th century, played a major role in the history of Eastern Europe. He not only shaped the future of Ukraine but significantly changed the balance of power in Eastern Europe. A brilliant strategist and negotiator, Khmelnytsky led various bands of Cossacks in their constant struggles with the Poles during the 17th century. In Ukraine, Khmelnytsky is generally regarded as a national hero and a father of the nation. Yet he is considered by some as a traitor for his union with Russia, which proved to be disastrous for the future of Ukraine. Nikolai Mashchenko’s biopic crams in large doses of complex history between a series of spectacularly mounted battle scenes. The film attempts to capture some of the contradictions and failures of Khmelnytsky the man, both in his complicated private life and some treacherous political manoeuvres.