简介：HelmutDoork,aoncegreatandfamousclown,isfiredfromthecircus.Gettingdrunkatalocalbar,hepokesfunatHitlerinfrontofsomeGestapoagents,whoarrestandsendhimtoaprisoncamp.Helmutangershisfellowprisonersbyrefusingtoperformforthem,wantingtopreservehislegend.Astimespasses,Jewsarebroughtintothecamp,withfraternizingbetweenthemandtheotherprisonersstrictlyprohibited.Eventually,Helmutisforcedbytheotherstoperformorbebeaten.Hisactbombsandheleavesthebarracksdepressed,tryingtheroutineoutagainaloneintheprisonyard.HehearslaughterandseesagroupofJewishchildrenwatchinghimthroughafence.Happytobeappreciatedagain,hemakesamakeshiftclownsuitandbeginstoregularlyperform.Hisaudiencegrows,butanewprisonCommandantordersHelmuttostop.Whenherefusesandcontinuestoperform,he'sbeatenandthrowninsolitaryconfinement.ButtheNazissooncomeupwithauseforHelmut,keepingthechildrenquietastheyareloadedintoaboxcartobesenttoanothercamp.Helmutcomplies,butisaccidentallylockedinwiththechildrenandarrivesthenextdayatAuschwitz…