Aleksei Rybnikov’s rock opera screen adaptaion is based on a play in verse of Paul Grushko. Together with other residents of a poor Chilean village Joaquin Murieta decides to travel to California in search of gold. Along the way he meets a beautiful girl who becomes his wife. But the happiness of the lovers is short-lived. The miners are faced with cruelty and anger of Americans. Young Joaquin’s wife dies and he wants to have revenge. However, nothing could ease his suffering.