The relationship between Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the great German writer, and Christiane Vulpius, a village girl, is one of the instantaneous and fiery passion. They lived together for 28 years, 18 of these living in sin, 10 a married couple. Christiane's rival, Charlotte von Stein, a former favorite of Goethe, begins plotting and scheming against her. Christiane puts up with countless insults and humiliations like having to 'disappear' with their son into the servants' quarters and to stay at home on official occasions. Goethe marries her when she saves his life during an attack by plundering Napoleonic soldiers. Her new social position as Goethe's wife is resented and envied by all. When she is openly attacked by the snooty, jealous people, Goethe is only half-hearted in coming to her defence. But she stays with him for he is her great love, even when she turns to the charms of many youthful admirers...
Acting
Veronica Ferres carrying decades of silent suffering in her eyes.
Costume
Christiane's plain dresses versus Charlotte's silks — visual class warfare.
Director
Egon Günther
Veronica Ferres
Christiane Vulpius
Herbert Knaup
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Sibylle Canonica
Charlotte von Stein
Christoph Waltz
Herzog Carl August
Christian Hockenbrink
Christian August Vulpius
August Diehl
Fritz von Stein
Rüdiger Vogler
Hans-Heinrich Meyer
Maria Happel
Tante Juliane
Fritzi Haberlandt
Ernestine
Jörg Schüttauf
Paul Goetze / Diener Geist / neuer Diener / Seidel
Ulrich Anschütz
Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer
Baki Davrak
August Goethe, erwachsen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Veronica Ferres fought to play Christiane after reading how historians dismissed her as merely Goethe's 'little wife' — she wanted to restore her dignity.
The film sparked controversy in Germany for portraying Goethe as emotionally cruel; some critics called it 'character assassination' of the national icon.
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