Spur der Steine

At a fictional petrochemical plant in East Germany, incompetence and delinquency prevail under incompetent officials, faulty plans, material deficits, and delinquent behavior. Foreman Hannes Balla uses unconventional methods to overcome problems, while Socialist Party secretary Werner Horrath tries to tame Balla's actions. Amidst the chaos, a love triangle develops between engineer Kati Klee, who becomes pregnant by married man Horrath, leading to turmoil in the Party and ultimately her departure from the plant. As socialism is both criticized and praised, Balla matures into a disciplined socialist citizen, leaving Horrath to lose his rank in the Party and his job, while Klee realizes the negative effect of the plant's environment on her.