1812年，拿破仑率领大军入侵俄国。在博罗季诺战役即将打响的前夕，法方秘密特工获知了俄国的作战计划，在向拿破仑报告时，被偷偷潜入官邸的俄国贵族青年塔鲁夫获悉。塔鲁夫听闻之后大惊，决定立刻去向俄军汇报，在撤离时遇到美丽的波兰信使贝娅塔，塔鲁夫究竟能否顺利把消息送达，俄军能否扭转战局，战争之后塔鲁夫又会经历什么不可思议的奇遇……，对于战争题材是俄罗斯人有自己理解和表达方式，这部1812无论是宏大的古典式对攻场面，目不暇接的近距离格斗，还有出乎意料的飞艇都让人再度领略俄罗斯电影的风采。
The Year is 1812. On the eve of the decisive battle of Borodino, Napoleon"s secret agent steals a Russian battle plan. This fact is known to General Kutuzov (Head of Russian forces), thanks to a young nobleman Alexey Tarusov. Tarusov joint to the the regiment of Russian lancers, and finds new friends like Lieutenant Gorzhevsky, Prince Kiknadze and Sergeant Ptukha. After the terrible battle of Borodino, they fall into many unexpected adventures...