Shot in 16 mm, it was made for West German television and originally aired in 1973 in ARD as a two-part miniseries.

[2] Its focus is not on action, but on sophistic and philosophic aspects of the human mind, simulation, and the role of scientific research.

In the present day, the Institute for Cybernetics and Futurology's (Institut für Kybernetik und Zukunftsforschung) new supercomputer hosts a simulation program that includes an artificial world with more than 9,000 "identity units" who live as human beings, unaware that their world is just a simulation.

Professor Vollmer (Adrian Hoven), who is the technical director of the program, is apparently on the verge of an incredible secret discovery.

In an attempt to become a real person, Einstein switches his mind into Walfang's body while Stiller is in contact with the simulated world.

He survives several assassination attempts and discovers the contact is Eva, who was projected into the simulation after Vollmer's death (as his non-existent daughter).

During the Siskins house party scene early in the movie, Ingrid Caven sings the song "The Boys in the Back Room".