Waterloo (1929)

This grand historical, costume, and war film depicts, in a patriotic German-nationalist manner, the course of the titular decisive battle against Napoleon and the events that took place immediately beforehand. Brief synopsis: While the Corsican Emperor is living in exile on the island of Elba, a congress convenes in Vienna after France’s defeat to redraw the map of Europe. Amid the complicated negotiations, Napoleon manages to escape to the French mainland. Marshal Ney is sent with his troops by France’s King Louis XVIII to prevent Napoleon from advancing on Paris. But instead of arresting him, numerous soldiers defect to the returning emperor. Napoleon soon seizes power in France once more, and Louis is forced back into exile in Belgium. Since receiving the disastrous news of Napoleon’s return, the European statesmen have not been idle: they have formed another alliance against him. The British appoint the still-young Duke of Wellington as commander-in-chief to halt Napoleon’s further advance. His closest ally is the elderly, 72-year-old Field Marshal Blücher, whom the Prussians send into the field. They promise one another to stand together in the fight against Napoleon. The first clash between the French and Prussians, at the Battle of Ligny on June 16, 1815, ends in a serious defeat for Blücher, who is also wounded in the confusion. Even so, he wants to assure Wellington that he will continue to support him and hurry to his aid soon. Lieutenant von Reutlingen is tasked with delivering the message. However, Countess Tarnowska intercepts and copies it. Having grown suspicious of Reutlingen, they now send Lieutenant Paunitz to the English, but after encountering French sharpshooters, he turns back, seriously wounded. Reutlingen is then sent after all, and manages to get through despite difficulties. Meanwhile, Wellington, who has decided to engage the French near the small town of Waterloo (in present-day Belgium), opens hostilities. But the battle does not go as hoped: Napoleon’s troops fight skillfully and recklessly. Wellington, too, is on the verge of defeat when, at the last moment, “Marshal Forward”—as Blücher is called by the people, with awe and admiration—appears with his soldiers in the gently rolling countryside, helping the alliance secure victory.