Das Meer ruft

The Baltic captain Terje Wiggen works as a pilot on the island of Muhu. When the mate of the ship "Carola" calls in sick, he jumps at the chance of reviving his life as a sailor – against the wishes of his pregnant wife. WWI breaks out soon after the departure. By and by the ship’s company gets worn down by dead calm. Ordered by the plague-ridden captain, Wiggen disposes of the contaminated water reserve. Discontent among the crew rises, until, after the death of the captain, they take the sole lifeboat and leave their mate behind. Wiggen unsuccessfully tries to bring the ship under control. At the last minute he is rescued off the Japanese coast. At his return he solemnly promises to never leave his wife and child again. This resolution has to be scrapped when the German Imperial Navy begins to blockade the waterways of the island. Wiggen paddles to Sweden with the intention of smuggling provisions for his family. On his way back he is detained by a German captain. After five years of imprisonment he returns to Muhu once more. His late wife left their daughter in the custody of her friend. Wiggen is hellbent on vengeance. Before long he boards a ship to pilot it out of a storm. He recognises the captain as the German who was responsible for his arrest, but, following a furious attack, he nevertheless abandons his revenge and guards the ship to safety.

Source: Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen