Fridericus Page #7

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- A peace offering?

- For me?

- No, Majesty, for Prussia.

- How do you mean?

- Let me be frank.

The fate of the Prussian army

is to starve...

or to be killed in battle.

Austria desires a peace

that allows Prussia to exist.

You'd have to give up Selesia

and a few other territories, of course.

The national honor-

No, Majesty, please hear me out.

Please see if there is still

some Rhineland wine.

Majesty, that's not necessary.

You talked about national honor.

My government is precluded from

making peace like that with your Majesty.

You are hated too much.

Of course, I don't count.

Of course, I don't count.

I knew I could count on your understanding.

So there are no more

obstacles to peace.

What are the formalities?

You would have to appoint successors

who can sign on your behalf.

That shouldn't be a problem.

Majesty, your greatness,

indeed, is immeasurable.

You give peace to Europe.

So I should abdicate?

Majesty-

It may look like an abdication.

But it is a big victory.

You save your country

from destruction.

- Your people will be eternally grateful.

- You think so?

Have a glass, sir.

To your future.

Majesty, you can devote the second

part of your life to yourself.

As hated as you were as a king...

so will be loved throughout Europe

as a private person.

You'll have all the money you need...

The European Rulers will give you

a rich principality in the West...

your court will be famous...

artists and scientists

will seek your help.

You must not withhold

your genius from the world.

As a young man, you knew that.

You're not born to be a soldier.

You are an artist and philosopher.

Your life is not over yet.

You will agree to this?

Thank you for your offer.

It was very educational.

I will give you my answer tomorrow.

What is it?

It's me, Chamberlain von Treskow.

What are you doing here,

now at the camp?

The enemies let me pass, Majesty.

Then your news must be extremely bad.

Is it the fall of Berlin?

I already know.

I am concerned about Berlin

because of my sister.

Women easily lose their nerves.

Is it a message from my sister?

She will send no more messages.

Put out the lights.

Adieu, Prussia.

You are all here, good.

I can tell you.

I will attack the enemy.

The battle is all that can help me.

I've decided to split the army again.

Going against all the rules of war...

I myself will attack

the Austrian position at the front.

The other half of the army

will attack the Austrians from behind.

Like this.

When you hear my cannons,

you will attack.

We either overthrow the enemy,

or let them bury us.

Gentlemen. To work.

I have special orders for you.

I will expose myself

in the battle today more than-

It will be your duty that

the enemies don't take me alive.

Yes Sir, Majesty.

If I die, place my body on

a cart and don't tell anyone.

The battle will continue,

and the enemy will be defeated.

Your Excellency!

- The Prussians.

- What?

The Prussians are forming

to attack right at our front.

That can't be true.

Message from General Laudon.

Enemy troops have been spotted

at the rear guard.

What troops?

A vanguard of hussars, moving

in a wide circle around our flank.

- Have they crossed the bridges?

- Not yet, and they won't succeed.

Zieten!

They've already started.

They were supposed to wait

for my command.

The old fool is ruining my plan.

We can't just leave him alone.

Charge!

Respect. The Austrians

learned how to shoot.

That's murderous.

Have you ever seen gunfire like that?

Excellency, we can't move on.

They've blown up all the bridges.

We must let the king immediately know that

our attack can't happen as planned.

Too late. The king is in the

midst of the attack.

Tell the hussars to dismount.

They will build a dam.

The attack must be carried out

according to plan.

Majesty, we can't move on.

The attack has been thwarted.

Are you crazy?

They are to go back into battle.

I don't need you to speak.

The second unit is to attack.

Stop.

Dismount.

Report from General Zieten.

- What happened?

- Zieten has been delayed.

What? He hasn't attacked yet?

He hopes to join the attack

as soon as possible.

Get yourself back to your general.

If Zieten doesn't come soon,

we'll go to the dogs.

- The second unit is stuck.

- The third unit is ready to attack.

Men, do not forget...

that you are the best

soldiers in the world.

Now you can show me

what you're made of.

- Droste, where is your youngest son?

- On the right flank, Majesty.

You've already lost three sons.

Don't you want to leave

the last with the reserves?

My son wouldn't accept that.

What is this group?

The Pfennigsdorf Battalion.

They have weathered

two blitz attacks, Majesty.

Come here.

Take a flag.

You'll guide them.

Three steps ahead.

Don't I get to do anything?

Am I at a wedding?

I saved you for last, Dessau.

- You will succeed, right?

- Of course, Majesty.

Charge!

The Prussians have taken

the first positions.

They'll have to stop before the second.

There can't be many more.

That's right.

They've suffered great losses.

Prepare the reserves.

Pull in the cavalry.

Once they attack,

go and run them down.

Where's Zieten?

What's that?

They're not moving on!

Field Marshal Prince von Dessau.

Shot right in the heart.

You.

Can't you keep your

ragtag army in order?

Stop sitting around,

and get them by the throat.

Go!

Attack!

- Where is Fritz?

- In front of us.

Then let's go.

Come on.

Majesty?

Majesty, do you want

to fight them by yourself?

Excellency,

the Prussians are retreating.

We have won.

Gather behind me. In line.

Zieten?

Zieten.

Zieten!

PEACE:

THE END:

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