What happened to the famous sausage stand where Schenk and Ballauf, the Cologne commissioners from the long-running German TV police procedural "Tatort" ("Crime Scene"), met to discuss cases? Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

It’s time to celebrate Halloween at Hamburg’s Tierpark Hagenbeck — and to get into the holiday spirit, the elephants were treated to special seasonal goodies: pumpkins, corn on the cob, and apples! Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The return of large predators, such as wolves, to certain regions in Germany means that local herders need to take extra steps to predict their flocks. Here in the Eifel mountain range in western Germany, two “livestock guardian dogs” named Günther and Biene protect the sheep and goats of herder Heike Dahm-Rulf. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

The ski season has begun on the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. There are no more COVID restrictions, but now there's a new problem due to rising energy costs.

Rail and air transport throughout Germany are getting back to normal after the day-long industrial action at the start of the week. However, commuters and travelers are still experiencing some disruptions.

Animals in zoos enjoy all-inclusive full-board accommodation, but too much luxury can be a bad thing. To make sure the animals stay active, the keepers and vets need to come up with some creative solutions.

The first segment introduces us to the main characters who, aboard the train from Munich to East Berlin on August 13, 1961, will face a difficult decision: freedom or home.

August 13, 1961: A fateful message reaches the train bound for East Berlin: The construction of the Wall has begun. The passengers now have three and a half hours to decide—home or freedom?

As the train continues its course towards Berlin, the band of musicians perform a song about yearning for freedom, which contrasts with the security checks of East Germans returning from the West.

As the train makes its way along, a reporter comes to interview Edith Salzmann, a locomotive driver. Through them, we get an impression of the roles and daily life of people in East Germany.

The news of the Berlin Wall's construction continues to spread throughout the train. Arthur and Andi finally find what they have been looking for all this time.

Elke repairs the radio in the compartment and everyone hears the news: A wall is being built through Berlin and along the state border to seal off the Soviet zone.

In the inter-zone train to East Berlin, people listen to the distressing radio reports. At the same time, we get insight into the lives of other people on this August 13, 1961 - the day when the Berlin Wall is erected and begins to separate its residents from the rest of the world.

The situation comes to a head with debates about idealism and disappointment, values of the East and the West, and freedom and control. As decisions are made, personal relationships begin to falter.

The pressure on the train passengers increases as the train gets closer to East Berlin. Political views and personal desires and fears differ greatly, making it very difficult for couples to reach a decision.