The television series was based on a play by Danish author Bjarne Reuter. In 1984 Reuter published his collection Tre skuespil ("Three Plays"); a collection containing also En dag i Hector Hansens liv ("A Day in the Life of Hector Hansen") and Kom der lys i neonrøret, gutter? ("Was There Light in the Neon Tube, Boys?") – in addition to Busters Verden.

Hidden among the dunes on the west coast of Jutland lies HU, where fishermen struggle to earn a living. The hard and dangerous work combines HU's small population with a peculiar madness that gives free rein to emotions and intensity in all aspects of life. One day, three Copenhageners arrive in the windswept village and are both astonished and fascinated by the local free spirit.

In a dystopian future, Denmark's lower classes must live as nomads—living in vans, always on the move, endlessly driving on a system of ring roads. Although they try to maintain a certain degree of humanity in their daily lives, there is no room for emotion or compassion among the wanderers.

The three young fishermen, Svend, Knud, and Valdemar, have bought a new cutter, but haven't paid it off yet. It is a real fishing film, but it is not JUST a fishing film. They have been granted deferments from the military several times, but suddenly the bell rings and they are called up as sailors in the Royal Danish Navy.

The film is a window into the world of fifteen-year-old Tim, sharing his joys and sorrows and his first encounter with love, during the German occupation of Denmark in World War II.