The summer of 1939, the last summer of peace before World War II. Helmut Krauss, a young German pianist, returns home after completing his education in Britain, only to discover that his mother has become an ardent supporter of Hitler. Far from sharing his mother?s enthusiasm, Helmut applies for an American visa, but Frau Krauss doesn?t give up easily ? she believes that her talented son and German Reich are made for each other.