In post-war Sweden, dairy-farmer Anders Svensson spends his time strumming his guitar and neglecting his chores. When he hears that his nephew, Ville Lundgren, is being detained in a port city controlled by the U.S.S.R. because of a lack of the proper papers, he is urged to do something about it. With his guitar in hand, he signs on a Swedish freighter as a temporary chef. When the ship ties up at the Balkan port, Anders attempts to get past the guards, but is apprehended and brought to General Badajsky as a suspected spy. His songs and knowledge of Russian drinking-songs and good nature catches the fancy of the general, and they become good friends. He goes to see his nephew, giving him instructions on the planned escape. Anders, Badajsky and his aide, loaded down with bottles and somewhat drunk plan to finish their celebrating on the Swedish freighter before it sails out of port. When his nephew approaches him, as planned, Anders gives him the bottles to carry on the ship and, because of the general's presence, the guards pass him through. Anders and the maybe/maybe-not deceived Badajsky part as friends, and Anders and his nephew head back to Sweden for a family reunion.
—Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>