A Prize of Gold

Master Sergeant Joe Lawrence is stationed in postwar Berlin, where he encounters a group of German orphans. He is drawn to their caretaker Maria, and begins to sense more than duty in the tense city.

Joe becomes attracted to Maria as she works to move the children to Brazil with Hans Fischer's help. Hans warns him not to return, forcing Joe to wrestle with loyalty and desire.

Maria breaks up with Joe, but he refuses to give up. He confronts Hans, whose influence over the travel plans is waning, and the confrontation strains their fragile arrangement.

Roger Morris hints at a lucrative target: Reichsbank gold bullion being transferred to England. Joe sees a dangerous opportunity, aided by his security role with the Air Provost Marshal, and begins to toy with a plan.

Dan, Roger’s uncle, connects them with Alfie Stratton, who can move the gold. Alfie insists on using ex-RAF pilot Brian Hammell to protect the interests, pulling the plan toward a risky hijack.

The plan comes together as the group coordinates the hijack of the Reichsbank gold shipments. Joe’s access to security networks helps tie the operation to the air shipments.

The gang hijacks the C-47 and lands it at an abandoned airstrip in England. They begin unloading part of the bullion, betting on a quick getaway.

The crew manage to retake the airplane, but the attempt to depart goes awry. The aircraft crashes into Alfie’s car on the runway and bursts into flames. The surviving crew members escape the wreck.

Thinking they may have killed three men, Joe decides to return the gold and turn himself in. The plan shifts from escape to taking responsibility for the crime.

Alfie regrets returning to crime, and Joe secures his release in exchange for £5,000 to be given to Dan. The uneasy settlement avoids further pursuit by Alfie.

During a violent confrontation, Roger falls to his death while Joe is knocked out. The conflict continues as the others scramble for the remaining bullion.

Joe regains consciousness and chases Brian. Brian clings to a rising drawbridge and ultimately falls into the water below.

Joe is brought back to Berlin for a court-martial, and he sees Maria and the orphans departing for Brazil. The personal and political costs of the mission are laid bare.