Heldinnen (1960)

Saxony, in the 18th century during the Seven Years’ War. When Prussian troops under the command of Major von Tellheim occupy the town of Barnhelm, a hefty fine is to be exacted from its residents. When the town leaders plead that the town treasury is empty and the citizens are poor, von Tellheim takes pity on them and helps them pay the levy with money from his own private funds. He is revered as the town’s savior and meets the beautiful Minna von Barnhelm at a ball, falling in love with her. The two become engaged immediately, but von Tellheim has to move on with his regiment. The film then jumps ahead several years: the war is over, and Minna has waited in vain for years for her fiancé to return. She decides to set out in search of von Tellheim with her maid Franziska, who is disguised as a male valet. The two women travel by carriage from Saxony toward Berlin. Along the way they have a series of adventures and eventually end up at the inn “The Spanish King,” where von Tellheim has also happened to take lodging with his servant Just. Amid various complications and a conversation with the major, Minna learns that his generous help in the past has driven him into financial ruin, and that the officer no longer considers himself worthy of marrying her. He is also under investigation for corruption. This does not affect Minna’s love for him, but von Tellheim tells her that his code of honor forbids him from taking her as his wife, since he is not even able to provide for her. Minna refuses to be put off and remains steadfast in her love for von Tellheim. Meanwhile, her maid Franziska falls for Sergeant Werner, first approaching him as a man and then as the supposed sister of that man.