Die elf Schillschen Offiziere (1926)

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 wavers and tries to remain largely neutral, unrest grows in the country among the patriots, who are unwilling to submit to the Napoleonic yoke. French troops are stationed throughout the land, harassing the people. Over time, small groups of upright soldiers and patriotic locals form, determined to put an end to the French menace and rise up against the occupiers. Among them is Major Ferdinand von Schill and his volunteer corps, Schill’s Jägers. The officers Fritz von Wedel and Udo von Reckenthin are among them. Udo has fallen in love with Marie von Wedel, his friend Fritz’s sister. One day, Udo is wounded in battle, and the French search for him. He manages to hide, and Marie nurses him devotedly. But eventually disaster strikes: Major von Schill is killed in battle, and, through the betrayal of Baron von Mallwitz, who has made a pact with the French, eleven of his officers fall into the hands of the Napoleonic occupiers. Udo von Reckenthin is among the prisoners. Fritz von Wedel takes Udo’s place in captivity, allowing Udo to escape with his beloved Marie, who is pregnant with his child. When Udo learns of the sentence passed on the eleven officers, he returns out of soldierly solidarity to reverse the exchange with Fritz. But he arrives too late: Schill’s eleven officers have already been executed.