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Historical Levoča, the first half of the 16th century. Master Pavol is creating his most famous work - a late Gothic altar in the church of St. James. He is about to hire a journeyman woodcarver, Krištof. The plot of this historical film of Slovak production takes place in the first half of the 16th century. The talented artist Krištof (Štefan Kvietik), despite an unfavorable prophecy from a clairvoyant, travels to Levoča with his friend Vavrinc (Michal Dočolomanský). He studied in Italy for several years and boldly declares in a tavern that he is certainly a better artist than Master Pavol (Ctibor Filčík). Thanks to his bragging, a skirmish occurs and the injured Krištof is taken in by the family of Master Orfanides (Mikuláš Huba). His daughter Mária (Magda Vašáryová) takes care of him. When Kristof recovers, he meets Orfanides' friend, Master Pavol, who suggests that he become his apprentice. Pavol entrusts him with an important task: to create a statue of the Apostle Paul. And so the young man gathers all his wits and embarks on his first great work. He spends his free time with the magistrate's wife, Barbora, and eventually begins a secret love affair with her. His friend Vavrinec turns out to be a swindler. He lures Kristof into playing cards with him and deprives him of Pavol's money, which was intended for his old teacher. With his arrogance and haughty behavior, he makes enemies of influential people in the city. He is accused of theft and tried by a strict magistrate. The sentence is to cut off both hands at the wrists...