This film is based on the life of Wilhelm Furtwängler the highly controversial conductor of the Berlin Philarmonic during the time of the Nazi-regime. During the 30's his reputation was similar to Toscanini's. After the war he was investigated as part of the de-Nazification programme.
In the bombed-out Berlin the Allies try to restore peace and order. An American major gets the task to investigate the Furtwängler file. He shall find as much as he can to prosecute the conductor. Major Steve Arnold is a tough man, who now enters a new world. Members of the orchestra vouch for Furtwängler and tell about his attempts to save Jewish musicians. For the Germans Furtwängler is kind of a demigod, but in Major Arnolds eyes he is just a lying and weak-willed Nazi.