The miniseries is divided in three parts and tells the story of the Mann family, a family of famous writers. It deals with their personal life (passions, tragedies, rivalities), opposition to the Nazis and emigration into the United States from Nazi Germany. Between the fictional scenes, the miniseries also includes interviews with members of the Mann family and their friends. Elisabeth Mann Borgese, the only living child of Thomas Mann at the time of the filming, is shown on various locations of the film, interviewed about her family by director Breloer.
