Gustav Adolfs Page (1960)

In 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden arrives in Nuremberg to recruit troops for his fight against Wallenstein. A banquet is held for him at the town hall, which Gustl Leubelfing, a passionate admirer of the king, watches from the oven room. Since her father’s death, she has lived with her uncle, the mayor. She notices that the city ministers are reluctant to follow the king and calls out in the hall, “Blood and life for the king!” When the mayor, in a desperate move, claims that his son Anton shouted it, the king promptly appoints Anton as his new page. Anton, however, has no intention of serving the king. The boyish Gustl quickly puts on men’s clothes, and the Swedish king’s soldiers escort her to the military camp. Gustl is a loyal and devoted servant to the king, who soon comes to regard her as the son he never had. While the king is away on a lengthy reconnaissance mission, women are smuggled into the camp, and Gustl is paired off with the spirited Korinna. Korinna quickly realizes that the resisting Gustl is a woman. However, she has no intention of betraying Gustl as long as things go well for her. The Duke of Lauenburg, who conspires against the king despite being bound to him, takes Korinna in. She makes herself unpopular with Queen Maria Eleonora because the duke gives her fine clothes, making her look more splendidly dressed than the queen. Maria Eleonora orders the king to remove Korinna from the camp, and Gustl once again makes sure Korinna will not betray her. The Duke of Lauenburg believes Korinna is still involved with Gustl and wants to throw her out of the camp. In desperation, Korinna reveals that Gustl is a woman. The duke initially passes this information to the other commanders, who are hostile to Gustavus Adolphus, and later to Wallenstein. However, Wallenstein has left, so the news is received by his deputy, Octavio Piccolomini. Wallenstein and Gustavus Adolphus are in contact through Captain Roland, a merchant who would rather prevent a war between the two men. He bribes Wallenstein’s astrologer, who then declares that the fates of the two commanders are intertwined: if one loses, the other loses too. Wallenstein now meets with Gustavus Adolphus, and the two negotiate a peace. At that moment, troops sent by Piccolomini arrive to arrest Gustl. From the order, Gustavus Adolphus learns of the rumor for the first time. Back at camp, he confronts Gustl, who admits that she is a woman. Gustavus Adolphus is furious, but first summons the Duke of Lauenburg and the other allies to his tent. When the executioner is supposed to lay a hand on Lauenburg’s shoulder, the duke draws his sword. Thanks to Gustl’s quick intervention, Gustavus Adolphus also gets a sword and kills the duke in a duel. Gustl, in turn, flees in horror, and the king has her searched for in vain. A little later, Gustavus Adolphus is on the battlefield near Lützen. The battle with Wallenstein is about to begin. Suddenly, soldiers bring Gustl before the king as a possible spy, since she has been following him for days. The two talk things through. Gustavus Adolphus wants to send her home, saying that her only glory would be to lie dead at his coffin’s feet like a little dog. Gustl, however, considers that the most desirable prospect. Suddenly, a shot hits a powder wagon standing nearby. The explosion kills Gustavus Adolphus and Gustl at the same time. At the end, both lie in state—with her as a page at his feet.