Der Lord von Barmbeck (1973)

This film biography is based on the memoirs of Hamburg burglar Julius Adolf Petersen, who achieved dubious fame as the “Lord of Barmbeck.” He owed his status as a folk hero to the fact that he used no physical violence during his robberies and stole only from the rich. After repeatedly evading the authorities, Petersen was eventually sentenced to a lengthy prison term. At the age of thirteen, young Julius Adolf begins stealing for the first time, and at eighteen he embarks on a career as a safecracker. From the age of 36, he devotes himself entirely to large-scale burglaries and robberies. Between jobs, Petersen also finds plenty of time for romantic encounters of all kinds. Although he is married, a genuine countess is taken with his masculine charm and impeccable manners, as is the very young Liesbeth, with whom he quickly starts a relationship. His criminal career finally comes to an end in 1921. Petersen is arrested and is not released on parole until 1932. When he is arrested again in 1933 after a further 22 burglaries, he chooses to take his own life, as there is no prospect of his being released.