Mechanic Behnke wants to join the Nazi Party to have a good life. However, after his Jewish neighbors were taken away, he changed his perspective. From IMDB user comment: Wolfgang Staudte strongly condemns this selfless bourgeoisie for not making any promises and hesitantly verifying his views. Rotation shows the danger that such an impartial civilian must face. This movie mainly focuses on the past, with key events presented in reverse order. It shows how Germany's high unemployment rate led to Hitler's rise to power. Stade keenly portrayed a painful Germany, where young Germans were trained by the Nazis and everyone was taught to obey Hitler. Behnke effectively recalled all the difficult times he had to endure. He is happy to have a child, but it is hard to imagine his own child betraying him. Behnke yearns for a peaceful Germany where his family will thrive and prosper. When he accepted his son without any hatred, his generous spirit was revealed. After the end of the war, The Behnke family witnessed signs of reconciliation, and their father pardoned his guilty son.