Försterliesel (1956)

Bartl, the wealthiest farmer in the village of Groß-Kleinberg, courts young Liesel, whom everyone calls Försterliesel. She, however, has fallen in love with Tony, the young forester who has been in the village for three weeks and is eventually supposed to take over from her father, old Forester Bregler. Bartl, meanwhile, is adored by his farmhand Zenzi, but has nothing for her but contempt. To make Tony’s start in the village more difficult, Bartl also takes up poaching. This is all the more serious because the village is expecting the local hunting lord, Robert Burgert, who was last there seven years ago. The hunting party from the city arrives. Robert Burgert’s wife, Carola, takes an interest in Tony—to Liesel’s great displeasure—so Liesel is particularly friendly to Robert during a welcome party in a barn. Meanwhile, in the Silberwald, Bartl shoots a twelve-point stag that was meant to be hunted the following day. The shots have driven the game away, so the hunt cannot take place until two days later. The hunting party therefore stays in the village longer. To pass the time, Robert Burgert organizes a target-shooting contest, offering the winner three kisses from a lady of his choice. He hopes to win and kiss Liesel, but Tony and Bartl also enter the contest, which is ultimately won by Liesel’s little cousin Heinzl. Liesel avoids the forward Robert Burgert, while Carola begins flirting with Bartl. Liesel and Tony grow closer as they rehearse a play together. Robert disapproves and hints that he may not hire Tony as the village’s forester once his probationary period, which is about to end, is over. Liesel goes to Robert’s house alone, but Tony manages to get her out of it by using a trick. During the hunt, Bartl takes the opportunity to talk to Liesel alone. She makes it clear that she is not interested in him, so Bartl goes off poaching. During their conversation, the gate to Liesel’s wildlife enclosure has been left open, allowing a fawn in need of care to escape and run into the Silberwald. Despite the great danger, Liesel goes into the forest, where she faints after a shot is fired nearby. The hunt is called off, but Tony spots the poacher in the forest and eventually confronts Bartl. Afterwards, he helps Liesel, who immediately feels better when she sees him. The two become a couple. Robert wants to bring Bartl before the courts, but ultimately gives up when he learns that Zenzi, who loves Bartl, is actually his half-sister; Robert’s father, too, had an appreciation for the village women.