Beschreibung eines Sommers (1963)

miniature|left|Christel Bodenstein and Manfred Krug during filming Tom Breitsprecher is an outstanding engineer, but also a womanizer. He spent the hot, dry summer he recounts in retrospect traveling and having insignificant affairs, and is glad to be back in Berlin. He lives by his own rules, dropped out of school, and argued so passionately with members of the FDJ as far back as the late 1940s that they did not even try to recruit him. Now, at the urging of his longtime friend Schibulla, the Berliner is to oversee construction of an industrial complex at the major building site in Wartha. The work is to be carried out by committed but untrained young FDJ members, who have been released from their regular jobs for a year to take part. Some are butchers, and others are workers, but none knows anything about concrete. Tom treats the workers with contempt and mockery; he rebuffs Grit, the FDJ secretary, with cynicism when she tries to persuade him and recruit him. Morale among the volunteers falls. Although they are all there voluntarily and full of idealism, they also want recognition for their efforts. It is Grit who finally manages to break through Tom’s cynicism. She believes that deep down he wants to be part of their community—but at 30, he would already be too old to be admitted to the FDJ. A tender affair develops between Tom and the married Grit, especially since she respects her husband, who stayed behind in Oelsnitz, but does not love him. The two try to keep their relationship secret, but they cannot do so indefinitely. Grit in particular comes into conflict with the Party and is told, at the urging of Schibulla among others, to talk things over with her husband. However, she remains in Wartha with Tom. Schibulla explains that their conduct will be discussed with the Party and that this may result in Grit’s expulsion from the Party. Grit promises to put things in order, but stands by her love for Tom to the end.