Fridericus

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From the novel by

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Surrounded by

the great powers of Europe...

Ascending Prussia has been fighting

for its rights for decades.

To the surprise of the entire world...

the Prussian king, first laughed at,

but now feared...

has stood his ground against

much greater powers.

But it seems overwhelming now.

Prussia's hour of reckoning is near.

Thank God.

We're coming to the end of the forest.

- We're at the end.

- Finally, out in the open.

- Do you think we'll stop?

- No.

It's not enough we're in the saddle all night.

People have to sleep some time.

The King of Prussia and I

have given up sleep.

Captain Bonin!

- You're in charge of the rear guard.

- I thought I was the vanguard.

No, you'll be the rear guard.

Yes, Sir!

I'll bring up the rear.

- Why?

- The army's turning back.

Well Schraeble, back to the forest.

- The king can kiss-

- I'm afraid he won't do that.

- Captain Droste!

- Yes, sir.

Battalion, halt!

The army is turning back.

This battalion is the vanguard

until the cavalry shows up.

Yes, sir. Back again.

Good God!

His Majesty's orders.

Battalion!

About face! March!

Get up!

Get up!

- Get up, you!

- I'm tired.

About face, march. Insane!

First, he has us march all night,

then turn around.

Ridiculous.

- His Majesty must have reasons.

- He's out of his mind.

The troops are exhausted.

They need to rest for once.

Sorry, but no.

We have to go back.

My scouts have spotted the Austrians

in three favorable positions.

If we don't hurry,

we'll be trapped.

There you go. Now he's stuck.

Serves him right.

- What?

- That.

We cannot go on.

The troops want to sleep.

Sleep? In light of marching orders?

I'll teach them.

You lazy pigs!

You only eat and sleep!

You don't give a damn

what happens to the army!

Are you just going to drop here?

Do you want to desert your king?

His Majesty orders you

to take your positions.

From General Laudon.

I'm very pleased, gentlemen.

Here, we have the Prussians.

And we're positioned here to there.

- They're trapped.

- Not quite. There's a gap here, right?

Yes.

Yes, by that hill.

But Friedrich doesn't know that yet.

Laudon is on his way there...

and in two hours,

our troops are complete.

He won't escape us.

If I'm ever born again,

I'll come back with four legs.

You're an animal anyway.

Right. People couldn't take that.

That's great.

You're a hero.

I won't be insulted.

Not by anyone.

- A hero with blisters on his feet.

- Don't remind me.

Five blisters I had to lance.

It was like a waterfall.

Enough water for a horse.

- Be happy you're not a hussar.

- Why?

Well, better blisters on the foot,

than on other parts.

You're really in a good mood.

I am. I feel so safe here,

you know?

Austrians on every side.

No one can take that away.

- I want out.

- What was that?

Repeat that.

No, don't repeat it.

I'm still a reasonable man.

I don't want to be killed for a madman.

A madman?

A normal man would've made peace by now.

But he wages his wars

to the end of the world.

He doesn't need water or food.

He only needs to smell blood.

You smell.

Quiet.

You, come with me.

- Your name is Mampe?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

Musketeer Mampe, sir. Weddingdorf Regiment.

You're that windbag of a Berliner

who escaped the Russian POW camp.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And there was that issue

with the Russian army treasury.

I took it with me

as a souvenir, so to speak.

Yes, but it was empty.

I'd forgotten about that, Majesty.

Commands for the generals.

- I have a job for you.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

You will defect to the Austrians.

Me? Defect? No.

I'm serious, Mampe.

You have to defect.

I swore allegiance to you.

Listen.

The Austrians have left a gap.

General Laudon

is on his way to close the gap.

I have to head him off.

Now I understand.

You will sneak off in the direction

from which I've come...

walk up to their guards

and surrender.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And what do I tell them?

That I've already discovered

the gap and passed through it...

to attack Laudon from the flanks.

What do I say about

why I ran away from you?

Well, you were scared of the battle,

or that I bullied you.

Bullying, yes, that wouldn't be

too far from the truth.

Bullying, yes, that wouldn't be

too far from the truth.

Pull yourself together.

This is a tough assignment.

Rest assured. I know how

to handle such matters.

If you come back,

I'll make you a sergeant major.

Sergeant major?

Yes, sir.

Don't tell anyone out there.

I will not jeopardize the privilege

of sharing a secret with Your Majesty.

General Princes von Dessau and von Zieten.

- Have you alerted everyone?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

The army will be ready

to march in an hour.

What about your hussars?

They should have found the gap.

My hussars see very well.

It's not their fault that

your Majesty's eyes are better.

We'll leave secretly in an hour.

Like cats, without a sound.

We'll leave the tents.

You'll be the vanguard.

What about me?

You will bring up the rear.

You'll have a better chance

of getting caught that way.

You may bring your best officer.

- Captain von Bonin.

- I want to see him.

Captain von Bonin.

At your service, Your Majesty.

I'll leave camp secretly...

and you will pose as the army

so the Austrians won't know.

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