Post-World War II, German preacher Paul Schäfer establishes a youth home but is soon accused of abuse. He flees to Chile, where he starts a new colony.

In Chile, word gets out about Schäfer, so he establishes a free hospital to win favor with the locals. But then Wolfgang Kneese runs away, telling all.

When Allende comes to power, a scared Schäfer smuggles and manufactures arms. Meanwhile, he grows more cruel in how he treats the colony's young people.

Schäfer provides torture chambers for Pinochet's use in exchange for mining licenses and other perks. But he struggles to keep the youth "pure."

Schäfer enlists the colonists to support Pinochet's activities. And even after Pinochet loses the presidency, Schäfer manages to keep going.

A pair of boys flee and tell on Schäfer. But the colonists pay the price as they try to rebuild their fractured lives.