The film depicts the life of the middle-class Kempowski family in Rostock between 1939 and 1945 in great detail and closely following the novel on which it is based. In addition to describing the special events in Walter's life and in the family, there are also repeated depictions of everyday life, such as walks with his father through Rostock, at school and in youth groups, with friends and swing music, at family meals and Christmas celebrations, at church or at the cinema. Father Karl loves cigars from the company "Loeser & Wolff," which always prompts him to say "impeccable, more impeccable, Tadellöser and Wolff" when praising them.

Rostock at the turn of 1945/46. Following the death of shipowner Karl Kempowski, the next generation must step up, supported by grandfather de Bonsac and Eduard Corneli, an old friend of the family. Robert Kempowski has returned from captivity as a prisoner of war and is attempting to rebuild the family's shipbrokerage business. This requires considerable perseverance.