Die Verdammten

The Von Essenbeck industrialist family is shaken by dramatic events driven by conflicting political views and various power struggles during the Nazi era. The bitter saga begins with the murder of the family business's head—a crime for which Herbert Thallmann (Umberto Orsini), an innocent man viewed as politically undesirable, is held responsible. Following Thallmann's flight, the path to the company's helm lies open for Friedrich Bruckmann (Dirk Bogarde). However, Bruckmann—who is romantically involved with the murdered man's daughter, Sophie von Essenbeck (Ingrid Thulin)—has failed to reckon with SS officer Aschenbach (Helmut Griem). Aschenbach has no interest in seeing Bruckmann remain in such a prominent position; instead, he seeks to gain greater control over the industrial empire himself, in the service of his party. To this end, he instigates Sophie von Essenbeck's son, Martin (Helmut Berger), to carry out a sinister scheme.