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.

In this war drama, three Nazi survivors are rescued after their battleship sank. Initially they are given heroes' accolades for their courage, but then it becomes apparent that these men actually jumped ship three hours before the boat sank. The men are tried and subsequently executed.

The film is based on a true story, concerning a series of robberies on the highways of Germany. At the time of the actual events, there was a controversy over whether or not highway patrolmen should be given permission to use firearms against perpetrators.