Synopsis

Based on the short story by Heinrich von Kleist (1777-1811), this TV mini-series tells of a horse trader who is cheated out of a couple of black horses by crooked Junker Wenzel von Tronka (a small landlord) on the way to Dresden. When Kohlhaas puts his trust in the justice system and sues the Junker to return his horses, a relative of the Junker in Dresden uses his political influence to have the case thrown out. As a last attempt Kohlhaas' wife tries to convince the crooked Junker to pay retribution, but instead she is seriously injured and dies. The short story takes place in the time of Martin Luther, a time of serious social unrest among the country folks. So Kohlhaas has no great difficulties to incite some disgruntled locals to join him in a revenge attack on the Junker's castle. However, Tronka himself escapes. Excited by their success more farm hands join the search for Tronka's whereabouts, during which they commit several violent acts against innocent citizens. At last, the Kurfuerst (Elector) of Saxony sends troops to arrest Kohlhaas and his men, but they are defeated repeatedly. After a visit to Luther, Kohlhaas realizes that the acts of his group have gone out of proportion compared to the original injustice, many uninvolved people have lost property and even their lives. Though Luther condemns Kohlhaas' movement, he promises to intervene at the court of Saxony in his favor, and Kohlhaas agrees to appear in person if his men are given amnesty and he stays a free man until his case is tried. Even though Kohlhaas' case finds sympathies at the emperor's court, Tronka's friends in Dresden use some misunderstanding to subvert the amnesty agreement and have Kohlhaas arrested. The court finally sentences Tronka to make good Kohlhaas' damages, but on the other hand find Kohlhaas guilty of breaking the peace of the land and sentence him to death.