Tirol in Waffen (1914)

Tyrol during the Napoleonic occupation. In 1808 and 1809, the freedom fighter Hofer battles the French occupying forces. The French occupiers have been entrenched in Tyrol for years, oppressing its people. High politics between Austria and France led Vienna to surrender Tyrol after its defeat at the Battle of Austerlitz. But now the Tyroleans no longer want to stand by and watch the occupiers bully the land and its people. Before long, their spirit of resistance breaks out. A fierce battle takes place near Sterzing, as a result of which Schwaz is looted and burned down by the French. Hofer defeats the occupiers at the Isel and, in 1809, is appointed commander of the Tyrolean troops by the Austrian emperor. As the Tyrolean peasants celebrate with a lively village dance, Napoleonic soldiers arrive. One of them singles out a peasant girl and tries to force her to dance with him. This leads to a violent brawl between the locals and the occupiers. French troops arbitrarily haul away Tyrolean citizens, including a simple monk who tries to defend himself against the assault in the name of the crucifix. But the godless Frenchmen serving Napoleon only laugh and knock him to the ground. Another French soldier enters the farmhouse of an ordinary Tyrolean woman and tries to assault her. Only her husband, the freedom fighter Josef Speckbacher, who rushes to her aid, can prevent the worst. Meanwhile, representatives of the Tyrolean estates try to negotiate with the French representatives of the occupying power. More and more Napoleonic soldiers pour into the country, while Hofer and Speckbacher draw up plans to fight the hated occupying forces. Armed only with flails, scythes, and other farm tools, the Tyroleans gather, pursued by the French. At last the French catch up with them, capture Speckbacher, and tear his son away from him; the boy furiously beats at the soldier holding him. A little later, Hofer hears of this crushing defeat of his men and sets out. At a wayside cross, he asks for God's blessing. Meanwhile, French soldiers rampage through Tyrolean homes, looting and robbing. High in the snow-covered Tyrolean mountains, Hofer sets up quarters in a log cabin. His wife and son visit him there. One of his loyal comrades also comes to the cabin. Then one of Hofer's men, a certain Raffl, goes over to the enemy, betrays Hofer to the French commander for a Judas-like reward, and leads his soldiers through the snow to Hofer's hiding place. Overwhelmed by the superior force, Hofer is arrested and dragged down into the valley. Meanwhile, Napoleon signs his death warrant. Shortly before Hofer's execution, his loyal followers take their leave of him, including his inconsolable secretary, Sweth. In a courtyard in Mantua, he is shot by a firing squad of occupying soldiers.