Berlin, Germany, 1935. The Weisses, a Jewish family, celebrate son Karl's marriage to Inga Helms, a Christian girl. When Erik Dorf is unable to find work as a lawyer, wife Marta urges him to apply for a Nazi regime job. Erik Dorf warns Dr. Weiss he should leave Germany. Karl is arrested and sent to Buchenwald concentration camp, and Dr. Weiss is deported to Poland. Erik Dorf continues to advance in the Nazi hierarchy.