The Promised Land

Karol Borowiecki works as the managing engineer at the Bucholz textile factory, where his ruthless ambition shapes every decision. He pushes through innovations and aggressive cost-cutting, putting the fortunes of his family and colleagues on the line. The role cements his reputation as a driven, unfeeling operator within the industry.

Borowiecki teams up with Max Baum, the German heir to a handloom factory, and Moritz Welt, a Jewish businessman, to lay the groundwork for their own venture. They aim to combine capital, influence, and technical know-how to outpace rivals. The plan requires them to raise substantial funds, testing loyalties and pride.

Borowiecki begins an affair with Lucy Zucker, the wife of another textile magnate. The liaison provides him with advance notice of tariff changes and helps Welt profit on the Hamburg futures market, fueling the group's ambitions. The relationship sows danger, blending business and personal interests.

To turn their plans into reality, the trio must secure significant capital, forcing them to cast aside personal pride and rely on risky deals. They push themselves to the limit, balancing greed with the threat of exposure. The pressure becomes a catalyst for both opportunity and peril.

On the day the factory opens, Borowiecki must deny the affair to Zucker's jealous husband, who insists on a public oath. He swears on a sacred Catholic object to seal his denial, underscoring the personal costs of his ambition. The moment marks a turning point in his life, binding him to secrecy and risk.

Borowiecki and Lucy Zucker flee to Berlin after the confrontation, seeking refuge from the mounting scandal. The exile shifts the balance of power among the partners and strains the already fragile business plans. Berlin becomes the setting where personal and economic pressures collide.

Zucker sends an associate to spy on Lucy, hoping to uncover the truth and regain control. The investigator confirms the affair and reports back to Zucker, escalating the personal vendetta. The spying marks a turning point that will soon devastate the partners' venture.

The affair is confirmed to Zucker, and his vengeance follows swiftly. He burns down Borowiecki's brand-new, uninsured factory as payback for the perceived betrayal. The destruction devastates the trio's hopes and wipes out their hard-fought gains.

Several years pass, and Borowiecki rebuilds his life by marrying Mada Müller, a wealthy heiress. He recovers financially and eventually owns his own factory. The arc shows his ability to adapt, though the scars of the past linger.

With his own factory in hand, Borowiecki faces a threatened workers' strike that tests his leadership. The workers are organized and desperate, challenging the authority of management. The tension foregrounds the moral choices that define his character.

An associate reminds Borowiecki that it is never too late to change his ways, highlighting a possible moral turning point. The suggestion contrasts with his lifelong reputation for hardness. The reminder plants doubt amid the escalating conflict.

Despite the reminder, Borowiecki authorizes the police to open fire on the demonstrators. The decision confirms his descent into ruthless pragmatism and ends any lingering hopes for reform. The scene crystallizes the film's critique of power and conscience.