Story

When Russian Tsar Alexei I died in 1676, his son Peter from his second marriage was still a child. His mother flees with him from the power struggles at court. His older half-sister Sofia takes over the regency together with her lover, Prince Golitsyn. Peter grows up, practises war games and studies life in the nearby German settlement. He falls in love with Anna Mons, the daughter of a wine merchant. Sofia is overthrown. His mother realises that Peter has grown up. She returns with him to the Tsar's court, where he takes over the government after her death. He travelled abroad, trained in shipbuilding, met European rulers and scholars, had 40 warships built and constructed a canal between the Volga and Don rivers. He sends 50 sons of Moscow nobility to study abroad. Tsar Peter I promotes science, crafts, trade and the arts and builds a strong fleet. Anna Mons becomes his mistress, but falls for the courtship of the envoy Königsegg. One day, when the Tsar arrives at her house with guests, Königsegg is already there. In an accident, Peter discovers a medallion with Anna's dedication on it. He then ends the relationship. His envoy is asked to promote Russia in the European states. He reports that Russia plays no role there. Peter I never wants to be a supplicant again and points to a frigate under construction. Russia is on its way to becoming a great power.