Unable to pursue her career as a concert pianist, losing all her motor functions, and in constant agonizing pain, she begs her doctors to end her life.
During an extended trial scene, arguments are put forth for and against euthanasia, heavily favoring the position that prolonging a disabled person’s life is sometimes contrary to nature, and that death is a patient's right as well as a doctor's moral duty.
[3] In the closing scene, Thomas lashes out at the judge and prosecutor, telling them they have no right to condemn him when they weren't the ones forced to helplessly watch a loved one suffer in pain.
[4] Prior propaganda short films, such as Abseit vom Wege (By the Wayside) and Erbkrank (Congenitally Ill), were made in support of the Nazi's euthanasia policies, but were meant for ideological education and not for public release.
[7] This film was commissioned by Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels at the suggestion of Dr. Karl Brandt, to bolster public support for the Aktion T4 euthanasia program.