During Napoleon's victorious campaign in Germany, the city of Kolberg gets isolated from the retreating Prussian forces. The population of Kolberg refuses to capitulate and organizes the resistance against the French army, which immediately submits the city to massive bombardments.

A woman marries a rich landowner, by request of her parents, instead of her lover who's child she's expecting. After a couple of years, the father of the child returns.

Karin Twerdy used to be an opera singer but now, in order to pay for her daughter Daniela's education in a religious school, she performs in a shady nightclub. Industrialist Dietrich Gontard, the father of Karin's school friend Christa, falls for her. But when he learns the truth about her he is outraged and rejects her. At a loss and not to stand in the way of Daniela's future, Karin chooses to disappear...

Reporter Heinz Wöhler is sent to find dancer Cilly, who vanished on tour. He discovers her dead under suspicious circumstances linked to her exploitative manager, Sabri. As Heinz digs deeper, he’s framed and kidnapped. Undercover Interpol agent Vera intervenes, leading a daring rescue from Sabri’s ringleader’s yacht and exposing the trafficking scheme.

Due to complicity in a robbery raid the young Ursula comes to a detention center, in which the education is hard since she is considered a serious offender. In a joint outbreak, she gains the respect of the other girls.