During the Seven Years' War, Prussian Major von Tellheim sacrifices his own fortune to save a Saxon estate from being plundered. After the war ends he is discharged and left penniless when the government suspects his noble deed was actually due to a bribe. Believing his lost honour makes him unworthy Tellheim breaks his engagement to Minna von Barnhelm, but she tracks him down to a Berlin tavern to win him back. To test his love Minna pretends she has also lost her wealth, prompting Tellheim’s protective instincts to finally override his stubborn pride. The film concludes with a royal decree from Frederick the Great, restoring Tellheim's rank and fortune and allowing the couple to marry.
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Käthe Gold
Minna von Barnhelm
Ewald Balser
Major von Telheim
Theo Lingen
Riccaut de la Marlinière
Fita Benkhoff
Franziska
Paul Dahlke
Just
Erich Ponto
Wirt
Ernst Fritz Fürbringer
Von Schornow
Fritz Kampers
Wachtmeister Werner
Hans Leibelt
Graf Bruchsall
Paul Wagner
Hauptmann Marloff
Max Eckard
Cornet von Bonin
Albert Lippert
Prinz Heinrich
Eduard von Winterstein
Müller Willig
Gustav Waldau
Juwelier
Ingolf Kuntze
Sächsischer Gesandter
