In World War I, German infantryman Bruno Stachel is determined to prove himself as an aviator and earn the highest military decoration, the Blue Max. Despite his humble, working-class background, Stachel joins the elite ranks of the German Air Force, where aristocratic squad members look down on him. His relentless ambition and ruthless methods quickly set him apart, both earning him kills and alienating him from other pilots. As he becomes more obsessed with achieving glory, his single-minded pursuit of the Blue Max leads to personal conflicts and unethical decisions.

Stachel's actions catch the attention of General Von Klugermann, who sees potential in using Stachel’s daring exploits for propaganda. Under the general's watch, Stachel gains notoriety and faces tests of loyalty, competence, and morality. Conflict arises between duty to his country and his desire for individual recognition. As the war intensifies, so do the stakes, and Stachel’s journey becomes fraught with betrayal and turmoil. A complex web of ambition, honor, and human frailty unravels as he navigates the realities of war and the consequences of his unyielding quest for the Blue Max.