British colonel Lewis Morgan (Jason Clarke) is assigned to live in Hamburg to assist with the rebuilding of the the city and its infrastructure.

He sends for his wife Rachael (Keira Knightley) to join him. 

She is shocked by what she sees, a city in ruins, with its people forced to pick among the rubble to salvage what is left of their homes.

They are billeted in a stately home confiscated by the British from its owner Stephen Lubert (Alexander Skarsgard), whose wife was killed during heavy bombing.

He and his daughter are meant to be relocated to a camp, but colonel Morgan asks his wife to allow them the stay on in the home. 

Rachael is reluctant as she distrusts Lubert and is warned by others that the Germans still bear a hatred towards the conquering Allies. 

Lubert is questioned by the British as to his loyalties and future intentions.

Tensions arise when the colonel must continue to work, while his wife stays at the house. 

Their marriage was already strained due to long absences and there is a growing attraction between the lonely Rachel and the handsome German.

For screen session details at Great Lakes Cinema 3, see page 3 of today's paper.