The film is a chronicle, not only of a family, but also of the Hungarian nation through nine hundred years. Contains the description of a people's evolution, spirit and traditions until modern era, the era of the Second World War. It is not a dull report on the politics and diplomacy of the day, but a lively, touching story of a people, the Hungarians of Transylvania. It carries the reader with the story and makes him share thejoys, grief and cares of the novel's heroes. The movie's message is clear. It is wrong to place the burden of guilt for the Hungarians' misfortunes on scapegoats such as the "aristocracy" or the "clergy". Hungarians were collectively responsible for the tragedy that overtook them, and they all must individually bear the burden of that responsibility.