A Black Veil for Lisa

Willie Zoll, a key informant in the Hamburg narcotics investigation, is fatally stabbed in an alley after preparing to share crucial information about the drug lord Harry Schouermann. The murder leaves the police without their best lead and raises tensions within the investigation. The assailant leaves behind a murder weapon and a disguise, highlighting the violent reach of the criminal world.

Inspector Franz Buloff returns home and confronts his wife Lisa, suspecting her connections to Schouermann's criminal activities. Despite his initial belief in her innocence, Buloff's mistrust grows, leading him to control her movements and question her whereabouts with heightened paranoia. The emotional tension deepens as their relationship becomes strained.

Lisa departs from their home, leaving the phone unanswered and heading out alone, possibly indicating she is involved in clandestine activities. Buloff tries to follow up but is met with frustration when she avoids his questions. Her departure introduces new suspicions about her role in the unfolding events.

Buloff mistakenly questions Marianne Loma, a young woman, under pressure, who reveals that Ursula Stein picked up a package for her boyfriend Kurt Mueller, a target of the drug ring. This leads Buloff to piece together the connection between local couriers and the criminal network, fueling his investigation further.

Schouermann's henchmen physically assault Ursula Stein and abduct her after she tries to make a delivery. The violence underscores the dangerous reach of the drug empire and the threats faced by witnesses trying to cooperate with law enforcement.

A note from Lisa is discovered hidden under a bouquet of tulips, suggesting she may be involved in covert activities related to the drug ring. Buloff becomes more suspicious and starts connecting the dots between Lisa and the criminal world, deepening his concern.

Lindt, the hitman, executes Kurt Mueller at a post office box, leaving behind incriminating evidence. Mueller's death marks a key point in silencing witnesses and shows the ruthless operational methods of the criminal organization.

Buloff interrogates Lisa harshly, accusing her of involvement with the drug ring and discovering her intentions to have an affair. Tensions culminate in Buloff hitting her, revealing the breakdown of their relationship amidst the chaos.

Lindt, believing the target is Lisa, plans her murder with the help of her friend Irini. Buloff intervenes, discovering the plot just in time and attempting to protect Lisa from harm. This leads to a temporary reconciliation as Buloff expresses remorse.

Buloff manipulates Lindt into executing Lisa in exchange for freedom, but Lindt reveals his true intentions by killing Buloff instead. The act of betrayal underscores the brutality and treachery among the criminal elements, leading to Buloff’s demise.

Lisa, still in the dark about Buloff’s fate, contacts Schouermann for another meeting. Her continued involvement indicates her deepening entanglement with the criminal world and her ambiguous position in the conflict.

Following Buloff's death, Lindt flees into the woods but is shot and killed by police, ending his reign of violence. His death signifies the crackdown on the criminal network and the culmination of the investigation's violent confrontations.

Lisa meets with Schouermann, who reveals Buloff’s involvement with Lindt and dismisses her, indicating her limited influence and the complex web of deception. The meeting marks a turning point, emphasizing her isolation and the unraveling of her relationships.

The film concludes with Lisa attending Buloff’s funeral, where Ostermeyer implies Buloff's corruption without explicitly confirming Lisa’s involvement. The scene encapsulates the tragic aftermath and unresolved tensions surrounding the characters’ fates.