The lives of a close-knit group of brothers growing up in Iowa during the days of the Great Depression and of World War II is chronicled in this film based on a true story.

During World War II Stan and Ollie find themselves as improbable bodyguards to an eccentric inventor and his strategically important new bomb.

Herman (a mouse) and Henry (a rooster) notice a poster that will award $1,000 to anyone who will stay in the ring for one round against a champion boxing rooster. Herman goes to Henry, who is feeling really low about himself, as he is getting bossed and pushed around by his wife. One thing leads to another, and the scrawny Henry is going up against the Champ.