Two doctors, a German and a Czech brain surgeon, meet in a Berlin hospital, unaware of how fatefully they are linked by events from a dark past. A trip to a congress in Prague and an encounter with the wife of his Czech colleague force the German chief surgeon to rethink his previous life. The film deals with the explosive topic of the extent and causes of complicity in the crimes of National Socialism.

Erwin Geschonneckas Prof. Marschner
Inge Kelleras Lucie Marschner
Jana Brejchováas Bara Melichar
Radovan Lukavskýas Dr. Ludek Melichar
Armin Mueller-Stahlas Reinhard Marschner
Erik S. Kleinas Dr. Völker
Klaus Piontekas Dr. Rohlo
Ingrid Ohlenschlägeras Marschners Sekretärin
Walter Taubas Prof. Spicka