Escape from East Berlin

Kurt Schröder works as a chauffeur for East German Major Eckhardt and begins an affair with the Major's wife, Heidi. This arrangement keeps his life comfortable but morally risky. The tension of a regime-run city casts a shadow over his private desires.

Kurt witnesses his friend Günther Jurgens die trying to escape to the West when driving a tow-truck through a gate. The incident reverberates through the neighborhood and hardens attitudes toward escape. Erika, Günther's sister, becomes determined to follow her brother's path to freedom.

Erika arrives in East Berlin seeking her missing brother and questions Kurt, who confirms he saw Günther the night before. She goes to Kurt's house to press her case and find a way out of East Germany. The encounter sets the stage for a dangerous plan that could involve Kurt personally.

Erika tries to crawl under the barbed wire but is stopped by Kurt. To hide her intent from suspicious guards, they pretend to be lovers. Kurt then hides Erika in his home, concealing a bold future escape plan from those who would stop them.

A piece of Erika's clothing becomes snagged in the barbed wire, drawing guards to the Schröder residence. Erika hides in a room without a floor and narrowly escapes as the guards conclude she cannot be hiding there. The close call escalates the danger felt by the family.

The Schröders and their neighbors decide to dig a tunnel under the wall to reach West Berlin. Kurt volunteers to mastermind the operation, while others contribute labor, using Uncle Albrecht's band as cover for noise. The plan marks a pivot from individual risk to collective action.

Work starts in the basement as the group drills toward the wall, with a watchman ensuring secrecy. Uncle Albrecht's band provides the sonic cover that hides the disturbance from nearby guards. The tunnel takes shape slowly but steadily toward the border.

Walter Brunner joins the effort, bringing a new plan and renewed determination. The escape party expands to 28 people, transforming a single family project into a community operation. Trust and coordination become essential as more participants join.

Amid the digging, Kurt's feelings for Erika deepen and he decides to reveal a painful truth: her brother Günther is dead. This confession alters his view on staying in East Berlin and pushes him toward joining the others for the escape. The emotional turn strengthens the resolve to flee together.

On January 27, 1962 the tunnel is completed, and the group plans the breakout for the following night. Tension tightens as everyone prepares to risk their lives for freedom. Kurt weighs the risks and steels himself for the imminent escape.

Marga informs Erika's parents of the daughter's situation, and Erika's father betrays the escape plan to Major Eckhardt. The betrayal accelerates authorities' pursuit and shatters the confidence of the escapees. Kurt, waiting to drive Eckhardt's car, realizes the plan is compromised and must act quickly.

As the police close in, the Schröders, Erika, and their supporters begin their escape, with Kurt bringing up the rear. He is wounded by a soldier as the tunnel collapses behind him. Erika returns to help him, and together they reach the exit and step into freedom in West Berlin.