Adam Novák

Based on Jan Neruda's column of the same name, which depicts the troubles of an old straw man. The film is introduced by poet Jaroslav Seifert with a speech about Jan Neruda and his work.

The film, in individual episodes, captures the fate of Bedřich Smetana from 1856 until the end of his life, from his young years until the moment when, exhausted by human and artistic hardship, he sees the fulfillment of his great dream, the opening of the National Theatre.