The Great King (German: Der große König) is a 1942 historical film from Nazi Germany, directed and written by Veit Harlan.
In 1759, during the Third Silesian War phase of the Seven Years' War, King of Prussia Frederick II (Otto Gebühr) sustains the most crushing defeat of his reign against the Austrians at Kunersdorf. The situation for Prussia seems desperate, and Frederick's circle of officers pushes him to capitulate, but Frederick decides to keep fighting.
One of the final installments in a trend of "Prussian films" (which started in the 1920s) along with Kolberg, it was mainly intended as propaganda for the Führerprinzip
(total obedience to the leader whose word is above the law, in Germany's case at the time that meant, of course, obedience to Adolf Hitler) and to boost the German population's morale during World War II.
The Great King provides examples of:
- Big Badass Battle Sequence:
- The film opens on the battle of Kunersdorf in 1759, which was recreated with hundreds of extras.
- The second battle is Torgau the following year, which ended up a Prussian victory.
- The Cavalier Years: Set in the second half of the 18th century, during the Seven Years' War.
- Darkest Hour: For Frederick, the aftermath of his crushing defeat at Kunersdorf is a particularly desperate time.
- Downer Beginning: The film starts with the major defeat of Frederick at the battle of Kunersdorf.
- Heroic BSoD: The defeat of Kunersdorf leaves Frederick shaken and nearly depressed, as seen in his dialogue with his aide Schenkendorf.
- House Fire: A windmill on fire serves to provide dramatic imagery in the aftermath of Frederick's defeat at Kunersdorf.
- March: The opening's music incorporates the most recognizable part of the melody of "Der Hohenfriedberger", one of the most famous Prussian military marches, which dates back to 1745.
- Ruler Protagonist: King Frederick II of Prussia is the main protagonist.
