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.
Käthe Gold
Ewald Balser
Theo Lingen
Fita Benkhoff
Paul Dahlke
Erich Ponto
Ernst Fritz Fürbringer
Fritz Kampers
Hans Leibelt
Paul Wagner
Max Eckard
Albert Lippert
Eduard von Winterstein
Gustav Waldau
Ingolf Kuntze
Peter Pasetti
Klaus Pohl
Fritz Reiff