Osa Archivum Catalog

The Magnate

Summary: A precise yet artful reconstruction of the family history of the von Pless dynasty of Upper Silesia, between 1900 ad 1935. In 1900 Prince Hans von Teuss entertains Emperor Wilhelm II with a bison hunt at his palatial residence. Many years later, he finds out that his wife was the emperor's lover and divorces her. In the '20s, during the Silesian uprisings, the Prince's son Konrad falls in love with a foreman's son and they leave together for Warsaw. In 1932, the Prince, now married to younger Marisca de Bodege, becomes paralyzed and confined to wheelchair. Only the youngest of the three sons still lives at the estate. Informed about their father’s approaching death, the other two return. Their very different careers illustrate the contingencies and the choices made in interwar Silesia: the oldest, diabolical Franzel, runs coal mines in Westphalia, takes over the ruined family estate and, unknown to his father, becomes associated with Hitler’s supporters. The homosexual Konrad chooses Catholicism and Polishness. The youngest, Bolko. is more interested in playing pool and flirting with his father’s second wife than with business or politics. Yet soon he learns that he cannot stand aloof from his brother’s alliances and decisions and has to pay a high prize.

Item Type	Current Location	Call Number	Status	Shelving Location	Public Note
DVD-ROM	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0791	Available	-	-
Digital film	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0791 (HU_OSA_00002521.mp4)	Available		Access Copy, MP4 format