Germany 1942: The Second World War has been raging for three years and Hitler’s henchmen still bask in the glory of their imaginary superiority. Friedrich Weimer (Max Riemelt), a 17-year-old worker’s son, is dazzled by her pomp during a boxing match against the National Political Education Institute (Napola) Potsdam. His desire to become part of this apparently great community was awakened when Heinrich Vogler (Devid Striesow) invited him to the Napola entrance examinations. Friedrich is fascinated at first by the luxury and drill. But soon events are coming thick and fast: Siegfried Gladen (Martin Goeres), harassed by teacher Josef Peiniger (Michael Schenk), kills himself. And Friedrich’s best friend, the sensitive Albrecht (Tom Schilling) also breaks under the pressure of his father’s high expectations and the inhuman Nazi ideology. Much too late Friedrich notices which people he got involved with.