This 1999 documentary film explores the life and times of one of classical music's most towering figures, including his early membership in the Nazi Party; his fitful association with Walter Legge of EMI and with the Philharmonia orchestra, founded by Legge in 1945; his fascination with science, technology, art and architecture in relation to music and his conducting style and rapport with his musicians. All are brought into focus and illustrated with a wealth of archive material. And throughout the film there is Karajan's music, drawn from the many sound and audiovisual recordings he made during the course of his extraordinary career.