Die Gustloff

The film follows the courageous Captain Hellmut Kehding, who unflinchingly takes on a daredevil mission to sail from Gdynia to Kiel. Although the ship is only allowed to carry 2000, nearly 9000 terrified and desperate refugees fleeing from the Red Army make it on board, fighting, clawing and boxing their way. To make room for them, most of the lifeboats are left behind...

Hellmut faces major problems. Erika's cousin Hagen, the ship's radio operator, insists that she return to work. Nazi boss Escher jockeys for position. Disillusioned old Captain Johannsen is incapable of making decisions. And Hellmut's brother Harald ? with whom Hellmut has been at odds for years ? has also been appointed captain. The ship has four captains, each of whom feels authorized to give commands.All hell breaks loose when the command receives a message warning of a collision. Hellmut doubts its authenticity and forbids Petri to turn on the navigation lights. But Petri illuminates the ship, which is seen by a Russian submarine.