Die elf Schill'schen Offiziere (1932)

After the forced Peace of Tilsit between Prussia and Napoleon’s France in 1807, Prussia’s political and military situation is desperate. While the king equivocates and tries to remain largely neutral, unrest stirs throughout the country among patriots unwilling to submit to the Napoleonic yoke. French troops are stationed all over the country, harassing the people. Over time, small groups of upright soldiers and patriots form, determined to put an end to the French occupation and rise up against the occupiers. Major Ferdinand von Schill and his volunteer corps, the Schill Jägers, are among them. Hans Küffler, a Prussian officer who also spies for the French, is one of their number. Schill’s plans to build resistance against Napoleon’s troops are immediately passed on to the French. Street fighting with the enemy breaks out in Stralsund, and Major Schill is shot dead. Eleven of his officers are captured and, following the verdict of a French summary court, are likewise sentenced to be shot. Karl Keffenbrink is another of Schill’s officers, but during the fighting he fell from his horse and lost consciousness. The French enemy took the motionless man lying on the ground for dead and therefore paid him no further attention. When Keffenbrink comes to, he manages to flee to the Trachenbergs’ estate. Maria von Trachenberg is his cousin and is secretly married to him. They are joyfully reunited, but soon Keffenbrink’s presence puts everyone in danger when a French patrol appears. His disappearance has been noticed, and the French are now searching for Schill’s officer. He manages to flee on horseback and escape across the border. Keffenbrink is arrested, however, but is released again thanks to Maria’s intervention. Meanwhile, in Wesel, the enemy executes the eleven Schill officers. The traitor Küffer is forced to witness their senseless deaths. Deeply tormented by his terrible deed, he soon decides to take his own life.