This epic Spanish biopic chronicles the life of Cervantes, Spain's great novelist, playwright and poet, during the 16th-century, when as a young man he goes to Italy to become a soldier for the Pope. Later he helps the Pope's emissary wage war against the Spanish Moors. His exploits win him great favor. He falls in love with a famous Italian courtesan and she with him. Unfortunately, the Pope splits them apart with his newest decree which demands that all prostitutes leave the city. Upset, Cervantes goes to fight in the famed sea battle of Lepanto and comes back a hero. Later he is captured by Barbary pirates and ransomed by Trinitarian friars.

Inspired by the classic novel by journalist and writer Emilio Romero. Shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), a group of Phalangist friends, who dream of a revolution to transform Spain, are dedicated to spreading their ideas among the population. As war begins, one of them, Lopez, is about to be shot, but is saved by a Republican. Then he joins the national side. After the war, an old comrade encourages him to involve in an operation to destroy the maquis of Asturias. Although he is married and has children, he accepts the proposal, infiltrates among the guerrillas and convinces them that he will provide weapons to continue fighting.