Der Katzensteg (1927)

Prussia during the Wars of Liberation, 1813 to 1815: The old Baron von Schranden, the son of a Frenchwoman, makes a pact with Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops. This earns him the bitter enmity of his son Boleslav, who remains loyal to the Prussian resistance. Father and son become estranged, and Boleslav leaves the family castle. Meanwhile, the old Schranden’s love of the French goes so far that he even commits treason. He forces Regine, the serving girl, to lead the French troops across the Katzensteg and behind the Prussian volunteer corps, who are fighting to liberate Germany from Napoleonic subjugation. Some time later, the old Schranden’s son returns to the family estate. His father has long been dead, and the French are in retreat. But the curse of his father’s treason weighs heavily on Boleslav and the name von Schranden. Back home, Regine has been cast out by the village community because she was forced to collaborate with the enemy. She is regarded as an outcast. Boleslav, who knows that the simple girl did not commit the deed of her own free will, stands firmly up for her. As a result, his engagement to Helene, the pastor’s daughter, is also called off. Boleslav, too, becomes increasingly isolated; only Regine stands by him. Boleslav von Schranden wants to clear his name and throws himself and his men into the decisive battle against the Napoleonic occupiers. At the Katzensteg, Boleslav has a frank talk with his former fiancée, Helene. Regine, wanting to warn Boleslav about the enraged population, runs toward him. A shot rings out, aimed at young von Schranden. Regine throws herself in the bullet’s path and dies in Boleslav’s arms.