Prague in the 1870s. Work in Smolík's sulphur factory is hard and dangerous to health. The poorly paid workers resemble torches because their clothes are soaked with poisonous phosphorus. Young Josef Rezler also works in the sulphur factory and uses his earnings to feed his mother and little sisters. He throws his perpetually drunken father out of the house. The older worker Brož forces Josef to learn to read and write. A cholera epidemic breaks out in Prague and Josef is the only one of his family to survive the disease...
worker Josef Rezler
Anci Rozsypalová
factory Smolík
Otto - Smolík's son
Father Novotný
editor Kolár
singer Hejkal
accordionist Shrovetide
singer Kulda
foreman Ladislav Zápotocký
foreman Josef Pecka
editor Norbert Zoula
editor Fait
worker Smejkál
worker Broz
Worker Hübner
delnice Pesková
worker Kovár
drunk Rezler
Rezlerová - Josef's mother
Young worker
Younger worker
Paulína
Police director
Rozslapil
Praseckár
factor Purchased
Pihovatý
Secret agent
The warden in the match shop
Warden in prison
Strak's secret council
Angry gentleman
Komorná
Frantík
worker
worker
Singer in cabaret
Hostinský
Innkeeper
waiter at Rozslapil
Pianist in cabaret
Singer in cabaret
Manufacturer
Prostitute
Mána
Broz's daughter
Laborer
Rozálka
worker from Waldes
worker
Kamelot
dude in Vienna
Mladík