Friedrich Schiller - Der Triumph eines Genies (1940)

In the 18th century, Württemberg suffers under the harsh rule of its duke, Karl Eugen. The poet Schubart dares to criticize him openly, but shortly afterward he is arrested by means of a ruse and imprisoned in Hohenasperg Fortress. At the same time, the young Friedrich Schiller’s inner resistance to the military academy’s rigorous discipline is growing. On the duke’s orders, Schiller is studying medicine there. During the parade march for the birthday of Karl Eugen’s wife, Countess Franziska von Hohenheim, Schiller causes a stir by sending a love poem to his sweetheart, Laura Rieger. Her mother appeals to the countess to spare Schiller. At the graduation ceremony, Schiller tells Karl Eugen that his medical writings take a philosophical tone because every science, including medicine, has its limits, and that when writing his works he follows his heart. Enraged, Karl Eugen orders Schiller to spend another year at the academy. Schiller’s father, who works for Karl Eugen as a gardener, tries to intervene but to no avail. When Laura appeals to the countess on Schiller’s behalf, the countess promises to help, but that too comes to nothing. Meanwhile, Schiller secretly begins writing his protest play, The Robbers. Even the extra year at the academy cannot break Schiller’s resolve, and he also comes out on top in a dispute with Karl Eugen over whether geniuses are made or born. When Schiller proudly tells Laura that his play is finished, he is horrified to learn from her that Schubart has been arrested. At a roll call, the duke—who has learned of Schiller’s and his fellow students’ resistance and declares that he will tolerate no rebellion—suggests that Schiller take a trip to Asperg. There, Schiller is horrified to find Schubart a broken man. Believing that Karl Eugen intends to have Schiller imprisoned, General Rieger has Schiller detained at Asperg, but the duke immediately rescinds the order. In the meantime, Laura has passed the manuscript of The Robbers to Court Marshal Silberkalb. Schiller is initially disappointed by what he sees as her betrayal, but then learns from Laura that she still has the manuscript. Schiller promptly has it printed anonymously. To avoid attracting attention, Schiller now devotes himself entirely to medicine so that he can take his exams and finally leave the academy. After his exams, Schiller enters the service of General Augé’s regiment. To Schiller’s delight, the general tells him that he considers the author of The Robbers a genius. At an inn, Schiller and his friends are celebrating the publication of The Robbers when they receive a letter from Dalberg, the theater director in Mannheim. To their delight, they learn that the play is to be staged. The production is a success. Duke Karl Eugen flies into a rage and summons Schiller. When Schiller remains steadfast in his views, he has no choice but to leave Württemberg to avoid being imprisoned at Asperg.