Kurt Hoffmann's remake of his own 1953 movie based on the play by Curt Goetz.

Four young German naval cadets begin their military service in 1940; only one of them will survive.

The Gangster Macheath secretly marries the daughter of beggar king Peachum. When Peachum finds out, he instructs the police chief Brown to arrest and hang Macheath. If not, all the beggars of Soho will disturb the upcoming coronation.

A hospital in a shabby provincial town in Tsar Russia swarming with spies, traitors and secret police. Doctor Ragin worries about his patient Gronow in Ward Six. Gronow is a former civil servant who talks about the future.