Europe in 1914 is a tense and extremely well armed continent. Each of the protagonists experiences the start of the war in summer 1914 in different ways: 14-year old Marina Yurlowa follows her father, Cossack Colonel Yurlov, in a train to the front. Artist Käthe Kollwitz and her husband Karl watch on as their 17-year old son, full of hope and excitement, volunteers to join up. Austrian Karl Kasser is sent to the front, despite an injury for which he had initially been rejected as unfit. 10-year old Yves Congar from Sedan believes that there will be a quick victory for France. He feels safe with his family until German troops arrive at his door. 12-year old Elfriede Kuhr experiences the start of the war in Schneidemühl on the border with Russia.