Ein Glas Wasser (1923)

London, during the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century. Queen Anne’s court is divided into two factions: one, led by Lord Bolingbroke, presses for peace talks and a swift reconciliation with France, the enemy in the war; the other, led by the influential Duchess of Marlborough, advocates continuing the hostilities. Queen Anne herself, still quite young and not especially experienced in politics, has yet to decide which course to take. To win her over, both factions—Bolingbroke’s and Marlborough’s—try to manipulate the queen in a web of intrigue. Another conflict at court is more amorous in nature: Queen Anne and the Duchess of Marlborough are both very interested in the young and attractive officer John Masham, who, in turn, is head over heels in love with the pretty maid Abigail. Lord Bolingbroke, a shrewd politician and schemer as well as a connoisseur of human weaknesses, is the only one to keep his bearings amid this turmoil of emotions, deliberately pulling the strings to carry out his plans. In the end, things unfold as he intended: a peace treaty with France is concluded.