St. George Shoots the Dragon

During the First Balkan War in 1912, Serbian forces, including soldiers Gavrilo and Đorđe, engage in combat against remaining Ottoman forces. The Serbian force is ambushed in the battlefield, resulting in Gavrilo suffering a severe injury and losing an arm, but Đorđe manages to save him from the attack.

Gavrilo is severely wounded during the ambush in 1912, losing his arm in the attack. Đorđe heroically intervenes to save Gavrilo, establishing a deep bond between the two soldiers. Their relationship becomes central to the story's emotional core.

In 1914, the First World War begins with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, leading to the outbreak of global conflict. The story shifts to a small village near Serbia's border with Austria-Hungary, where tensions and division run deep among villagers.

The village is divided between able-bodied men preparing for war and disabled veterans from previous Balkan Wars. Tensions and animosity are prevalent, as the two groups live alongside each other but rarely interact, highlighting social divides amid the looming war.

The central theme revolves around a love triangle between the village gendarme Đorđe, his wife Katarina, and Gavrilo, a young disabled war veteran. Katarina married Đorđe after Gavrilo was wounded, yet she still harbors affection for Gavrilo, creating emotional tension.

At the start of WWI, all able-bodied men in the village are recruited for combat, leaving behind only women, children, and disabled veterans. This mass conscription drives the community into a state of tension and anticipation.

Rumors circulate that the disabled veterans are attempting to take advantage of the wartime situation, especially by approaching the women. These suspicions intensify existing tensions within the village community.

To prevent mutiny and maintain order, the Serbian army decides to conscript the disabled veterans into the front lines alongside able-bodied soldiers, despite their vulnerabilities. Gavrilo is the only veteran to survive this decision.

The Serbian army launches a desperate attack on Austro-Hungarian lines at the Battle of Cer, suffering heavy losses but achieving the first allied victory in WWI. Gavrilo and Đorđe participate in a final, suicidal assault during this battle.

During the attack at Cer, Gavrilo and Đorđe fight valiantly but are both killed in the effort. Their deaths symbolize tragic heroism and the personal costs of war, as they attempt a last stand against the enemy.

After the battle, villagers find the dead bodies of Gavrilo and Đorđe lying next to each other, symbolizing forgiveness and reconciliation. The film ends with a somber reflection on the sacrifices made by the soldiers and the enduring human spirit.