Colonel Redl

Alfred Redl, a Ruthenian boy from Galicia, wins admission to a prestigious military academy, a triumph that sets the course of his life. At his departure, his mother instills in him eternal gratitude toward Emperor Franz Josef, a loyalty that will guide every choice he makes.

During training, Redl and Kristof Kubinyi are punished when Kubinyi's wooden lance breaks. Redl initially refuses to reveal the prank, but a teacher pressures him and he names another student to save his comrade. He blames himself for betraying a friend, yet he learns that advancement means ingratiating himself with authority.

Redl and Kubinyi become close friends, and Kristof invites Redl to his privileged family home in Hungary. There, Redl conceals his humble background, presenting himself as Hungarian and from an old noble family that had fallen on hard times. This deception helps him fit into Kubinyi's aristocratic milieu.

As they grow into officers, the two friends develop divergent political aims. Kubinyi leans toward Hungarian nationalism seeking independence from the Habsburgs, while Redl remains fiercely loyal to the Emperor. Their differing ideals strain their bond.

Redl harbors an unrequited love for Kubinyi, which he suppresses and redirects toward Katalin, Kristof's sister. The two visit a brothel, and Redl seems more interested in watching his friend with a woman than in his own encounter. This episode reveals the depth of his hidden attraction.

Back at the academy, Redl serves as second in a duel between Kristof and another classmate, who is killed. The duel jeopardizes both men's careers, but Colonel von Roden notices Redl's diligence and loyalty and arranges a promotion and a prized assignment in Vienna.

In Vienna, Redl renews his relationship with Katalin, who is by then unhappily married. They become lovers despite Katalin knowing her brother's true affection for Redl. The arrangement deepens a conflict between loyalty to Kristof and love for Katalin.

Redl is posted to a garrison on the Russian border where discipline is lax. He proves to be a strict, serious-minded officer who works to reinvigorate order, earning friction among junior officers who resent his birth status. Kristof among them mocks Redl's origins.

Colonel von Roden brings Redl back to Vienna to head the Evidenzbureau’s counter-espionage branch. He begins spying on officers across the army to identify and root out espionage, a morally gray assignment that consumes him.

On Katalin's suggestion, Redl enters a loveless marriage with Clarissa to quell rumors about his sexuality. Clarissa remains distant and in poor health, leaving Redl's private life largely unaffected by public scrutiny.

Redl's devotion to duty draws him into the orbit of the heir to the throne, who plots to overthrow the Emperor. He helps set up an aging Ukrainian officer for a dramatic fall, but the plan backfires when the officer is accidentally killed.

Redl is seduced by an Italian officer who leaks military secrets to the Russians, leading to his arrest. In a cruel twist, Kristof is the one who orders Redl to commit suicide, providing him with a service pistol.

Redl shoots himself after a period of anger and despair. The film ends with a brief depiction of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo and the onset of World War I.