Taking Sides

After the Second World War the allied control committee inspects the case of Wilhelm Furtwängler, the world-famous conductor, accusing him of collaborating with the Nazis. The examination is led by the American major Steven Arnold, with Emmi Straube as his secretary, whose father participated in the plot against Hitler and was executed. Lieutenant David Wilds has been sent out by the cultural office of the allied forces to control the cleanness of the procedures. Ignorant of music, the major considers the conductor a careerist and pro-Nazi, while the conductor suffers from the humiliation he is subjected to. Arnold's colleagues understand that music is Furtwängler's life and that he loves his nation. They encourage him with the cathartic Fate-theme of the 5th Symphony, from a recording conducted by him. (InterCom)