Mengelberg finds it increasingly difficult to cope with the horrors of the war and when his wife and daughter are killed in a bombing, he makes a drastic decision. He is transferred to the Netherlands and decides to help a Drenthe farmer family to hide people in hiding. In doing so, of course, he commits high treason against his own men and his father, who fought on the German side in the First World War. When the SS becomes suspicious and the resistance advances, Mengelberg not only puts his own life on the line, but also that of the people he tries to help.
The film was made by ZOD Film in collaboration with CFX in Emmen, Van der Glas Productions and On Air Media. Thomas Nauw is directed by a screenplay by Peter Nillesen and Rob Camies. Peter Nillesen, who conceived the story, also plays the role of Ludwig Mengelberg. The main cameraman (cinematographer) is Robert Schepers. Rob Camies and Manon Huizing (ZOD Film) and Anton van de Koppel (On Air Media) did the production.