Anna Susanna plot
During the Great Depression of 1929, the scrupulous Hamburg shipowner Brinkmann sees no other way to escape bankruptcy than to commit serious insurance fraud. He wants to sink his sailing ship 'Anna Susanna', without the crew's knowledge. Captain Kleiers will carry out the plan, but is caught by surprise and dies in the ensuing battle. The ship is now sinking and some sailors save themselves to a desert island. When they later return to Hamburg, they are dismayed to learn that the 'accident' has been accepted by the insurance company. They take Brinkmann to court, but without success. He has much better relationships than she does and the officials involved are corrupt through and through. In the end, the sailors must realize that justice against power often falls short.