Die Sühne plot
Martha and Ludwig have known each other since their early childhood, because Martha spends her vacation in a country house close to where Ludwig and his mother live. When they play blind man, Ludwig falls into the water and almost drowns. Martha can save him, but the shock causes Ludwig to lose his sight. Years later, when Ludwig's mother dies, Martha gives up her promising career as a sculptor to care for the blind Ludwig. But after Ludwig regains his sight through an operation, he no longer sees the aging Martha and has an affair with a dancer.