A divorced Brit with an American mother, he has no illusions about what is going on, but like many, he feels powerless to do much of anything about it. His son, Paul, is an active member of the Hitler Youth, and his unwillingness to make his son’s life difficult is of paramount concern to him. Plus, there is Russell’s lover, Effi Koenen, a young starlet who is making a comfortable living appearing in state-sanctioned plays and films filled with pro-Nazi propaganda. Those are two apple carts Russell has no interest in overturning.