During the early years of World War II, a German U-boat, U-37, finds itself causing havoc by sinking Allied ships in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In a daring move to escape the pursuing Canadian Military Forces, the U-boat ventures northward into Hudson Bay. Meanwhile, the zealous Nazi Captain dispatches a team from his crew to scavenge for supplies at a Hudson Bay Company outpost. However, just as the shore party, led by Lieutenant Hirth, sets foot on land, their U-boat is sighted and subsequently sunk by the Canadian Armed Forces. This unexpected turn of events leaves the six members of the shore party stranded in Canada.
With their U-boat lost, the Nazi Lieutenant is faced with a challenging dilemma - how to make their way back to Germany without falling into enemy hands. Their only hope is to reach the neutral United States. Along their journey, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their unique perspectives on the war and nationalism. In this film, directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger express their ideas about why the United States should join the Allies in the fight against the Nazis.
