The story of the last days of Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter (1907-43), who was executed by the Nazi regime because of his refusal to compromise with a perverse system.

Five people have stolen a priceless, legendary emerald from a religious temple. One of them is slain by an unknown killer.

After serving five years Willi soon learns that his new life is another kind of prison since no one trusts an ex-convict. His uphill struggle for a job and shattered hopes of a normal existence grind him down to utter despair.