The adaptation of the eponymous play by Carl Zuckmayer tells the story of renegade general Harras of the German Luftwaffe, who during WWII openly criticizes the Nazi regime. As a consequence, he is put under surveillance, and even imprisoned for a brief period of time. Still remaining outspoken, Harras realizes the horrific dimensions of this hopeless and injust war waged by Germany. Meanwhile, his friend, the aviation engineer Oderbuch, is sabotaging fighter planes in order to stop the madness. When Nazi officials try to force Harras to rat on Oderbuch, Harras opts for suicide instead, plunging himself to death in one of the manipulated airplanes.