Michael Kohlhaas - Der Rebell (1969)

The horse dealer Michael Kohlhaas is on his way to the market in Wittenberg with a team of magnificent horses when, on the lands of Junker Wenzel von Tronka, he is asked for a travel pass, contrary to all previous practice. Kohlhaas has to leave two horses as security, promising to provide the pass later. In Wittenberg, he learns that he still does not need a travel pass. When he returns to Tronka’s castle, he finds the horses reduced to wretched nags; they have been made to toil in the fields and left half-starved. Outraged, Kohlhaas refuses to take the animals back in this condition and demands compensation. He takes the matter to court, but without success. Shortly afterward, a terrible blow strikes him: when his wife Elisabeth tries to deliver a petition at court, she is fatally injured in an accident. In his despair, Kohlhaas gives the Junker an ultimatum; when the deadline passes, he and his men attack Tronka’s castle at night and burn it down. The Junker, however, escapes to Wittenberg. Kohlhaas pursues him there with a continually growing band of rebellious peasants, discharged soldiers, and marauding rabble, interested only in plunder, while he seeks justice. When the Wittenberg authorities refuse to hand over the Junker, Kohlhaas and his men storm into the city, plundering and setting fires. The growing unrest is highly inconvenient for the Elector, so through Martin Luther he has Kohlhaas promised immunity from punishment and a retrial of his case against the Junker, provided he disbands his army and surrenders. Kohlhaas accepts the offer and rides to Dresden. There his fate is fulfilled.