A depiction of class conflicts in Germany between 1918 and 1945. The Spartacist Erwin is shot by officers in 1918, and his pregant working-class bride Marie begins a new relationship with social democrat Geschke. Erwin's son Hans grows up to be a communist like his father, leading to bitter hatred between him and his Nazi step-brother, while Geschke becomes increasingly resigned to the political situation in Germany. The three aristocratic officers who shot Erwin many years ago meet again during the Kapp Putsch, but their support for the Third Reich eventually leads each to their deaths.
Barbara Dittus
Klaus Piontek
Peter Borgelt
Monika Gabriel
Günter Wolf
Klaus-Peter Pleßow
Dieter Wien
Alfred Struwe
Kurt Kachlicki
Karin Lesch
Erika Pelikowsky
Volkmar Kleinert
Kurt Böwe
Renate Richter
Erik Veldre
Erich Gerberding
Heinz Hinze
Harry Pietzsch
Joachim Siebenschuh
Isa Sander-Wolter
Gerlind Schulze
Heidemarie Wenzel
Michael Gwisdek
Klaus Manchen
Günter Junghans
Peter Reusse
Günter Schubert