In 1928 Berlin, Franz Biberkopf is released after serving four years in Tegel prison for the murder of his girlfriend Ida. After settling into his old apartment, he visits Ida's sister Minna and rapes…

Biberkopf is self-employed, hawking necktie holders on the street, but has trouble making enough and doesn't consider himself an orator. After turning down the opportunity to sell sex ed manuals, he's…

Troubled by the dubious nature of Franz's job, Lina introduces him to family friend Otto Lüders, who turns out to be an ex-con he knows from prison, but Franz thinks Otto is good. With him, Franz begi…

Franz goes on an alcohol binge as former medical orderly Baumann searches for him in rooms in a building opposite the one occupied by the prisoners' charity on which he depends for his liberty in Berl…

Franz, after several fleeting encounters, has finally become reacquainted with his former pimp Eva, who feels a deep affection for him, and has paid the rent for his old rooms in his absence. Meck int…

Franz explains to Reinhold that he wants Cilly to stay with him. Franz gets sucked into Pums's gang when he is drafted for a job as a last-minute replacement for Bruno, who is beaten in the street. Fr…

Franz has survived, but his right arm has been amputated. He recuperates for a time with Eva and Eva's lover Herbert, who agitates against Pums's syndicate, so the boss decides to take up a collection…

Franz becomes involved in an illegal enterprise with Willy, whom he met at a cabaret. Eva and Herbert drop by to see Franz and bring a young woman, Emilie Karsunke, whom they offer as a new lover. Fra…

Eva explains to Franz that Mieze just wants to work to support him as Franz cannot due to his missing arm. After reconciling with Mieze, Franz attends a communist rally, during which he daydreams. The…

As Mieze cannot conceive, Eva tells her she'll have a child with Franz that Mieze can then raise. Mieze is delighted, to the point that Eva asks if she is a lesbian. Eva also tells Mieze she's concern…

Franz tells Reinhold he wants to get involved with Pums again. Reinhold still has his suspicions but Franz is allowed to assist the gang with a job. Mieze is upset that Franz is earning money because …

Franz introduces Mieze to Meck. Reinhold blackmails Meck to set up a meeting for him with Mieze. Meck takes Mieze on a drive to Bad Freienwalde and delivers her to Reinhold. Reinhold takes her for a w…

Franz tells Eva that Mieze has left him. Eva reassures him, though she is a bit concerned herself. A robbery pulled off by Pums' gang goes wrong and Franz takes Meck to his apartment to bandage his we…

In a fantasy sequence, Franz walks along a street of the dead with two angels. He finds Mieze, but she disappears from his arms. Reinhold is in prison for the crimes committed by a man whose identity …