Der Choral von Leuthen (1933)

At the end of 1757, Prussia’s situation is very difficult. Although Frederick II has won victories in Thuringia and Saxony, August Wilhelm of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern has lost the Battle of Breslau in Silesia and is retreating. Frederick II hurries to Silesia to regroup and unite his army. The Prussian cavalry captain Hans von Wustrow spontaneously decides to marry the Silesian Countess Charlotte von Mudrach. Since no priest can be found, the marriage is performed by the soldier Christian, a theology student. Immediately afterward, the Prussians depart, and the Austrians occupy the countess’s castle near Lissa. The Austrians establish their headquarters in the castle. When von Wustrow visits his wife one night, he learns that the Austrian headquarters is in the castle. He is discovered, but manages to escape. The Austrian generals then want to have the countess tried by a court-martial. Frederick II decides to engage the Austrians in battle, even though his army is less than half their size. Aware of the great risk, on the night before the attack he dictates his will to a Saxon officer who has been sentenced to death. Among others, the soldier Georg is killed in the battle. At the end of the battle, Frederick arrives alone at the Austrian headquarters, where the people present recognize him with astonishment and offer him food and drink. When Colonel Rawitsch of the Pandurs tries to capture the king, the Prussian troops, who have reached the castle, are heard singing the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God,” and Frederick announces to the Austrians that they have lost the battle. When the Prussians occupy the castle, Captain von Wustrow is able to free his wife.