Ten Seconds to Hell

A former architect who leads the bomb-disposal unit. He is disciplined, calm under pressure, and guided by a personal code that values human life. He struggles with his past after being forced into demolitions for expressing anti-Nazi sentiments, which fuels his resolve to protect his crew. He falls in love with Margot, complicating loyalties and raising the stakes of the mission.

A cocky, risk-taking member whose rivalry with Eric fuels the unit's tensions. He bets on outliving his colleagues and sometimes lets bravado trump caution. His flirtation with danger extends to Margot and the bomb's mechanism, culminating in a desperate attempt to manipulate the fuse. He dies when the bomb explodes during a final defusing effort.

A capable young member who embodies competence and optimism. He dies when a 1000-pound bomb detonates despite his belief that it has been defused, underscoring the ever-present danger they face. His death highlights the human cost of their work and the fragility of even careful plans.

A steady, loyal member who helps keep the unit coordinated under pressure. He is trapped beneath rubble when a building partially collapses, along with a bomb, and dies as the effort to rescue him unfolds. His fate emphasizes the randomness and peril of every mission.

A seasoned member who weighs decisions with caution and a sense of responsibility. He contemplates sharing the prize with Sulke's family, illustrating the humane impulse within the unit. He drowns when his air line is cut while defusing a bomb, highlighting the peril of the work.

A dependable, supportive colleague who stands by the team under pressure. He embodies quiet courage and practical solidarity. He is killed while defusing a 1000-pound bomb, a blow that deepens the group's sense of danger and loss.

A French widow living in a ruined Berlin boarding house, Margot is an outsider to both the German and French communities in the postwar landscape. Her relationship with Eric becomes a focal point of personal conflict and hope. Her experiences of suspicion and betrayal reflect the fractured social fabric of postwar Europe.