Sterling Hayden (1916-1986) is interviewed on his barge on a river in Holland by a West German documentary crew, and reveals his love of the sea, his deep regrets over testifying against other actors when before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, his disgust with the many "B" movies he made in the 1950s, and how he escaped Hollywood in 1958. Hayden's soul-baring recollections and feelings are supplemented by still photos, newspaper headlines about his "commie hit-man" testimony, and some of his scenes in Dr. Strangelove and the Asphalt Jungle. His long beard and robe and occasional nips from a whisky bottle add a colorful dimension to the Hollywood version of his image.