In 18th century Europe, King Friedrich II of Prussia leads his army through the seven-years-war with neighboring states, and after numerous near defeats, eventually brings a victorious army back to Berlin.
Acting
Otto Gebühr's fourth (!) time playing Frederick — he OWNED this role.
Production
Massive period sets built while Germany rearmed for real.
Director
Johannes Meyer
Otto Gebühr
Friedrich II. von Preußen
Hilde Körber
Wilhelmine von Bayreuth
Lil Dagover
Marquise de Pompadour
Käthe Haack
Maria Theresia von Österreich
Bernhard Minetti
Graf Wallis
Paul Klinger
Rittmeister von Bonin
Carola Höhn
Louise von Bonin
Lucie Höflich
Frau Büttner
Paul Dahlke
Generalfeldmarschall von Dessau
Paul Westermeier
Musketier Mampe
Heinrich Schroth
Hauptmann von Droste
Will Dohm
Baron Warkotsch
Erik von Loewis
Stabsoffizier
Agnes Straub
Zarin Elisabeth
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during Nazi 'Die Große Zeit' film campaign explicitly linking Prussian glory to the Third Reich.
Goebbels personally requested Gebühr reprise the role; the actor became so synonymous with Frederick that East Germany later banned his films entirely.
DE
