In 1976, amid the tumult of apartheid in South Africa, Ben Du Toit (Donald Sutherland), a school teacher at a whites-only institution, finds himself entangled in a harrowing incident. The son of his gardener, Gordon Ngubene (portrayed by Winston Ntshona), faces brutal police violence while participating in a peaceful protest advocating for improved educational rights for black South Africans. When Gordon seeks Ben’s assistance, he is met with hesitation; Ben places his trust in the authorities. Tragically, this decision backfires, leading to Gordon’s arrest and subsequent torture at the hands of Captain Stolz (Jürgen Prochnow).

Despite the protests of his wife, Susan (Janet Suzman), and their daughter, Suzette (Susannah Harker), Ben is compelled to investigate the mystery surrounding his gardener’s disappearance. His quest reveals the chilling reality of Gordon and his son’s murders, a discovery that ignites Ben’s resolve to take action. With Ian McKenzie (Marlon Brando) as his attorney, he attempts to bring the injustices to light in court, only to face defeat. Undeterred, Ben forms alliances with members of the black community, including his driver Stanley Makhaya (Zakes Mokae), in a grassroots effort to inspire social change.

As tensions rise, the police become aware of Ben’s actions, leading to the detention of several key individuals involved in their campaign. To support a civil suit, Ben gathers affidavits and discreetly stores them in his home. He confides in his son about his plans, and the two siblings become privy to the location of the hidden evidence. However, their efforts are thwarted when the police conduct a search, resulting in a dangerous explosion triggered by a betrayal from Suzette.

Amidst escalating violence, Emily, Gordon’s wife, is tragically killed after she resists eviction from her home, leading to the disintegration of Ben’s family as Susan and Suzette leave him. In a desperate attempt to protect the incriminating documents, Ben meets his daughter at a restaurant, where he hands her what she believes to be the crucial papers, only for him to secretly substitute them with a book on art.

In a heart-wrenching climax, Ben’s fight for justice costs him dearly. He ultimately meets a grim fate at the hands of Captain Stolz, who is later avenged by Stanley’s desperate act of violence. The story highlights the extreme struggles against systemic oppression, the sacrifice for truth, and the devastating personal toll such battles can extract.