Schloß Königswald (1988)

At Königswald Castle in Bohemia, shortly before the end of the Second World War, several aristocratic ladies have gathered. The Princess Grandmother has transferred ownership of the castle to her granddaughter Ursela. Countess Hohenlohe is in a wheelchair and is driven every day through the grounds by Milka, a housemaid. Countess Posadowsky watched her castle burn and fled to Königswald Castle, and Countess Dohna and Countess Woronzoff have also arrived there as refugees. They all wait anxiously and eagerly to see who will arrive first: the Russians or the Americans. First, however, Baroness von Boehme arrives on a bicycle. She is a distant relative of the castle’s owners. She once married a cousin of the family and is therefore Ursela’s aunt. In the past she was a successful singer and dancer, and now she repeatedly gushes about her triumphs on Europe’s greatest stages, while the aristocrats react to her with some disdain. Königswald Castle is initially occupied by the Germans. They want to turn it into a fortress against the Russians or the Americans and have it bombed if necessary. The elderly ladies decide to disable a grenade launcher intended for that purpose. Milka has begun an affair with Sergeant Franz Hallhuber, adjutant to the commanding Captain Kolk. The Princess Grandmother celebrates her 80th birthday and invites the soldiers and Captain Kolk to the castle. During the celebration, Milka hides Hallhuber in the wine cellar, and after the party the women issue the Germans an ultimatum: they pretend to have taken Hallhuber hostage and hope this will force the Germans to withdraw. Kolk, however, issues an ultimatum of his own. He says he will have all the women shot if Hallhuber is not released. Before either side can decide what to do, the Germans withdraw after news arrives of Adolf Hitler’s death. They leave Hallhuber behind, and Milka now hides him in the castle attic. Shortly afterward, the Americans arrive. At first they want the castle evacuated. The elderly ladies, however, persuade them to agree to peaceful coexistence in the castle. When the Germans surrender, a great celebration breaks out at the castle. Baroness von Boehme dances the Charleston and boogie-woogie with the GIs, and for the first time in a long while there is real coffee. The women’s joy is short-lived, however: under the Allies’ agreement, the Americans must vacate the castle for the Red Army. The aristocratic ladies decide to leave with the Americans. The Princess Grandmother intends to settle at her relatives’ castle on the Rhine, and the other women are welcome to join her. Milka decides to stay at the castle, where Hallhuber is still hidden. The servant Karl, whose real name is Karel Swoboda, also stays behind. The group of women sets off, but Ursela briefly returns to the castle. Karl has already made himself comfortable there with champagne and a cigar, while Milka, in a wedding dress, walks arm in arm with Hallhuber through the grounds. Ursela turns back and rejoins the elderly ladies.