General Aviation Harras hosts the Otto Restaurant. This is the only restaurant in Berlin where, under Goering’s special permission, private banquets can be held in wartime. Accordingly, in one of the halls the latest Gestapo listening device is mounted.

The general arrives at the restaurant from the Imperial Chancellery with an official reception, called the "Führer beer gatherings." But Otto has French champagne, a snack from Norway, game from Poland, cheese from Holland and other “fruits of victory” from occupied countries. Caviar from Moscow, of course, no.

Harras became a legendary pilot in World War I, but he cannot be given more than forty-five years old, his open young face is attractive. Among its guests are the cultivator Schmidt-Lausitz, a major aircraft manufacturer von Morungen, as well as friends and relatives. The general celebrates the fiftieth victory in the air battle of his friend and student, Colonel Aylers. He is a humble officer, embarrassed by the general attention, he is in a hurry to raise a glass for the general’s health. Only one culturator out of place drains a glass under Heil Hitler. Ailers got a short vacation, and his wife Anna, daughter of von Morungen, dreams of taking him home as soon as possible.

The second daughter of Morungen, Manirhen, a self-confident and cheeky person, claims that she does not seek marriage. To do this, you need to get a bunch of papers - about an impeccable Aryan pedigree, sexual potency, etc. Using the vocabulary of the Union of German Girls, she authoritatively discusses problems of race and gender, flirts.

Four pilots from the Aylers squadron come, awarded the Great Iron Cross. They arrived from the Eastern Front, where they bombed Leningrad. The pilots admit that the Russians will still “ask the pepper”, but they don’t doubt the final victory of Germany.

Three actresses appear, with one of whom, Olivia Gais, Harras supports many years of acquaintance. She brings with her niece Diddo, young and beautiful. Olivia acquaints Harras with Diddo, "for whom he is a kind of" perfect example "- a" monument of antiquity, "as the general, admiring the girl, clarifies.

Meanwhile, the adjutant tells the general secret information about the "troubles" of the German army near Moscow. The general considers the war with Russia a mistake of Hitler, he tried in vain through Goering to stop the campaign to the East.

Such dangerous conversations are conducted in the absence of a cultuler, whom the general calls the secret officer of the Gestapo, and where Schmidt-Lausitz sends culture is a "cesspool." Alone with Morungen, Harras talks about crashes that occur with airplanes that have just left the assembly line. The general is frank with the industrialist, considering him his friend. He doubts the presence of clandestine organizations at aircraft plants capable of such daring sabotage. The general even admits that sabotage can be the work of the Gestapo preparing a trap for him - Harras is personally responsible for controlling the aircraft.

Harras believes that until the Gestapo touches him too sharp on the tongue and frank in likes and dislikes, he is needed as a professional. The meaning of his life has always been flying. War is the element of the general, but he does not like to kill. He admits to Morungen that it might have been easier for him if he had bombed the imperial chancellery, and not the Kremlin or Buckingham Palace. On the whole, he had a wonderful life: “girls - plenty”, “wine - at least flood”, “flights - as many as you like.” It seems to Morungen that Harras is as if summing up.

The general notes that the young pilot Hartman is silent and gloomy, he manages to call him outspokenly: Hartman's bride Manirchen announced that she was breaking off her engagement with him due to the fact that he could not receive a certificate of purity of race. The pilot is now waiting for death on the battlefield. After a long and intimate conversation with him, Harras hopes that he managed to convince the pilot of the value of his own life.

Olivia asks the general to help rescue Professor Bergman, a Jew, a surgeon with magic hands, who has just been temporarily released from a concentration camp. The general already has experience in such matters, he can provide the professor with his sports plane, ready to fly to Switzerland. He will be led by the professor’s wife - a purebred Aryan, a pilot.

Soon, between Harras and Schmidt-Lausitz, a sharp discussion takes place in front of everyone, in which the cultuler shows strong hatred of the Jews, and the general shows contempt for such “pigs” as he. The culturalleater leaves, and the general continues with a sigh of relief the banquet.

An important report arrives to Harras - vacation to the pilots is canceled, they are urgently sent to the front. Ilers orders the morning training, he is ready to carry out the orders of the Fuhrer unconditionally. Aylers believes in himself, in Germany and in victory, has no doubt that everything is done in the name of the future world. A few days later Harras grabs the Gestapo and holds it for two weeks. According to newspaper reports that friends do not believe, he is on the Eastern Front.

On the day Harras returns home, Schmidt-Lausitz comes to him and dictates the conditions for his rehabilitation for the Gestapo. The general must establish the causes and take measures to suppress acts of sabotage in the manufacture of military vehicles. He is suspected of promoting "elements hostile to the state." The culturalleater sets a ten-day term for Harras and says that he himself would not hesitate for ten minutes to neutralize a person like a general. Harras answers him the same and realizes that he received only a “reprieve”.

Diddo comes to Harras, concerned about his fate, and between them there is a declaration of love. The general warns that his life is now worthless, "the raid has begun." He is still able to defend himself - for Diddo, their happiness.

Olivia tells the shocked general that Bergman and his wife accepted the poison as "the only way to freedom." Olivia thanks Harras on behalf of the spouses. Harras understands that everyone has “their own Jew for conscience,” but this will not pay off.

Morungen and Manichen come. The industrialist, who set up the general in the accident with an airplane, offers him the only way to escape - to join the party and transfer military aviation into the hands of Himmler, SS. Harras does not want salvation at that cost.

Bring newspapers - a special issue with a mourning frame: Aylers died in a crash when a plane crashed over an airfield, the Führer gave the order to arrange a funeral at the state level.

Manichen speaks with Harras face to face. She considers him one of the few "real men" and does not want him to destroy himself. Morungen's daughter confesses his love to him and suggests using it to fight for power and influence in the country. Harras refuses to be offensive to Manichen. He already realized that she was a Gestapo agent.

December 6, 1941 - the last day of the allotted time to Harras. He sits in the technical bureau of a military airfield along with engineer Overbruch, whom he has known for many years. Aylers once said that Overbruch can be trusted with “all fortune without a receipt”. Both make a report to the commission of inquiry. Overbruch signs a report that does not indicate the causes of the accidents - they are not installed. They bring two suspected workers who refuse to answer the general’s questions. He pities these people who are to be interrogated by the Gestapo.

Harras looks probingly at the engineer and says he cannot take the last chance. He has nothing to say to the Gestapo, and he, probably already unnecessary and dangerous, is expected to receive a “gentlemanly” passing away - the revolver is left to him. But the general intends to use weapons against the enemy.

Harras asks Overbruch to believe in his decency and tell the truth. The engineer believes the general: the truth is that he and other people, unknown and nameless, who have a common goal and a common enemy, are fighting for the defeat of Germany in this war. It is necessary to perish also to those who serve as “the weapon of the enemy”, a weapon with which he can defeat. So died Ilers - a friend of Overbruch. The participants in the Resistance movement are not stopped by the death of the one they love, just as their own death does not stop.

Overbruch wants to save the general, believing that he can bring help to the movement. He offers him to flee to Switzerland.

Harras refuses - for him, who has become the "general of the devil", it is too late to engage in a fight with him. But Overbruch, behind which stands a just cause, must survive. Harras signs the report - it’s better for the engineer, and quickly leaves.

Overbruch rushes to the window and sees Harras get into the car, prepared for the tests, take off and gain altitude. Then the noise of the motor suddenly subsides.

Schmidt-Lausitz informs the Führer’s headquarters that General Harras, while fulfilling his duty, died while testing a military vehicle. State funeral.