Synopsis: Brothers Helmut and Karl Hoffmann grow apart during World War II. Swept away by the hysteria of the Third Reich, blue-collar Karl becomes a storm trooper, but struggles to advance because of his lack of education. Helmut, a literature student at the University of Munich, disappoints his adviser, Professor Rosenberg, by dropping out to join the SS. Both brothers fall for torch singer Mitzi -- though only one will live to regret his actions.