Die Klasse – Berlin '61 is a docudrama about a class of students who commuted from East Berlin to the West on a daily basis to attend school, and the consequences of the construction of the Berlin Wall. The story is told through interviews as well as reenacted scenes.

Even though adolescents who were denied the right to attend high school in East Berlin could find ways to continue their education in the West, neither the commute nor the social dynamics were easy.

The students at the Kepler School can spend their evenings out in West Berlin as well, but are constantly dealing with the boundaries.

As rumors began that the border was to be closed, the students began to wonder how their studies and lives would progress.

Smuggling items to relatives who had left Berlin was a difficult mission. At the same time, it often seemed difficult to completely comprehend how high the stakes would be.

Outside of the classroom, the students who travelled to the West for school were confronted with important life decisions and their consequences.

Tough decisions had to be made as the future became more and more uncertain. Even the annual class trip required students living in the East to travel separately.

On the way back from their class trip, the students already have the feeling that their lives will never be the same again.

As the first incarnation of the Berlin Wall went up, the students and their families scrambled to make quick decisions.

After the border had officially been closed, the students were separated and often didn't know if their friends on the other side were OK. Luckily, a few letters got through.

The restrictions placed on residents of both West and East Berlin intensifies to the point where the classmates aren't even actually allowed to have contact.

Rüdiger and Bärbel attempt to escape into West Berlin, but it doesn't go according to plan.

While their classmates in the West graduate, Rüdiger and Christian come to terms with their life in the East Berlin.

Rüdiger finds himself in prison, subject to interrogation, and separated from his sister.

While Rüdiger and Bärbel face the consequences of their actions, the other former classmates move on in more positive ways.

Christian considers a dangerous escape plan.

Christian escapes by swimming across the border, but leaves Heidi behind. Rüdiger is suddenly presented with a new option.

In the conclusion of the film, find out whether Rüdiger leaves West Germany, and what each person in the group is doing today.