A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.
| Directing | Frank Beyer | Director |
| Writing | Jurek Becker | Novel |
| Camera | Günter Marczinkowsky | Director of Photography |
| Editing | Rita Hiller | Editor |
| Writing | Frank Beyer | Screenplay |
| Art | Alfred Hirschmeier | Set Designer |
| Production | Herbert Ehler | Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Joachim Dittrich | Costume Design |
| Sound | Joachim Werzlau | Original Music Composer |
