Willi and Maria Kluge married in the final days of World War II. Maria is deported to a camp in Siberia and does not return home until eight years later. She brings with her the child of a fellow prisoner, whom she gave birth to in the camp. This is a heavy blow for her husband Willi, who has been waiting longingly for her, but he takes her and the child in. She struggles to regain his love and trust, and eventually his masculine generosity prevails.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Curd JürgensWilli Kluge | Willi Kluge |
 Annemarie DüringerMaria, seine Frau | Maria, seine Frau |
 Bernhard WickiFranz Martens | Franz Martens |
 Mady RahlAnni | Anni |
 Paul EsserMax | Max |
 Brigitte HorneyDr. Hildegard Thomas | Dr. Hildegard Thomas |
| CClaire ReigbertIhre Mutter | Ihre Mutter |
| GGabriele StrasserChristine, das Kind | Christine, das Kind |
 Fritz BenscherLudwig | Ludwig |
 Til KiweHeinz | Heinz |
| IIngeborg ThiedeRita | Rita |
| HHerbert KrollKarl | Karl |
| RRuth von ZerboniHanne, seine Frau | Hanne, seine Frau |
| JJürgen MickschRichard, 10jähriger Sohn | Richard, 10jähriger Sohn |
 Agnes FinkPaula Scheftschick | Paula Scheftschick |
| HHeinz-Leo FischerAnsager der Todesbahn | Ansager der Todesbahn |
| AAlfons TeuberAnsager der orientalischen Nächte | Ansager der orientalischen Nächte |
| FFranz FröhlichAnsager am Lukas | Ansager am Lukas |