The movie tells the story of Germany from 1913 to 1955 through the experiences of two contrasting characters: Hans, an idealistic journalist (played by H.-J. Felmy), loses his job during the Third Reich, while Bruno, an opportunistic man (played by R. Graf), advances his career within the NSDAP party. After World War II, Bruno manages to ingratiate himself with the US administration and becomes a successful and respected businessman despite his Nazi past. Meanwhile, Hans struggles to make a living in the countryside. However, their paths will eventually cross again.