The young revolutionary Mao Zedong experiences a China on its knees. After the end of the empire, the country is in the firm grip of warlords and imperialist powers. Mao's dream of a united China and a communist society that will lead the country back to its former greatness grows. Mao and his communist movement are involved in a bloody civil war until Mao finds himself at the gates of Beijing in 1949.

After the proclamation of the People's Republic, Mao begins to transform the country into a socialist state, but the Korean War catches up with him. As he pushes forward industrial development, he leads the country to the brink of the abyss: one of the greatest famines in history is the result, with millions of deaths.

After the disaster of the "Great Leap Forward," Mao is surrounded by enemies within the party. He plans a counterattack: "The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution." He can rely on the support of the youth, who hunt down "counter-revolutionaries" as Red Guards. The country sinks into chaos, but Mao emerges victorious and becomes head of state for life.