Fast ein Held (1967)

Toward the end of the Second World War, the fictional French mountain village of Molinette is occupied by German troops. After his French girlfriend Hélène gives him a sleeping pill, German senior private Karl Küppers misses his company’s departure for Russia. With the help of the determined Frenchwoman, he becomes the local commandant. More often in felt slippers than in boots, he rules as a “father of the people,” looking after all the villagers. Using the forms and stamps that were also left behind, he secures various advantages for the population, including travel permits and building materials; he brings back sons who have been compelled into service and arranges barter deals. General fraternization is underway when the Allies succeed in invading. Now the “Boche” is a “Boche” again, collaboration is a dreaded accusation, and people rediscover their patriotic feelings. So there is much rejoicing when Küppers, the last occupying soldier, is taken away by the German field police. The deception has been exposed, and Küppers is sentenced to death. But the transport taking him to his execution is attacked by the Resistance, and Küppers is led into captivity along with the firing squad. Twenty years later, Küppers returns to the village as a tourist and looks back over what happened.