The Kaiser’s Lackey (1951) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1951 · 109 mins · German

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Directed by

Wolfgang Staudte

Starring

Werner Peters, Friedrich Richter, Blandine Ebinger, Wolfgang Kühne, Arthur Schröder, Eduard von Winterstein

Diederich Heßling starts as a coward, but learns that power comes from serving those already in authority. He embraces the creed ‘bow to those above, trample those below,’ succeeding as a dueling‑fraternity student and later as a paper‑factory manager. He curries favor with district president von Wulkow, undermines rivals and allies with socialist councilors. On his honeymoon with his wealthy wife Guste, he seizes the chance to honor the Kaiser, delivering a rain‑soaked speech at the memorial as the crowd disperses and everything falls into ruin.